1886. ] BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 223 
C, Richardson and C. A. Crampton, On the presence of cane 
sugar and allantoin in ungerminated embryo of wheat. 
_ iullie J. Martin, Preliminary analysis of leaves of Juglans 
nigra. . 
Helen C. DeS. Abbott, Certain chemical constituents of plants 
considered in relation to their morphology and evolution ; also 
Preliminary analysis of a Honduras plant named ‘ Chichipate’. 
': C. Vanghan, Tyrotoxicon (cheese poison); its occurrence 
in milk. 
W. MeMurtrie, Blue milk and ropy cream. 
D. E. Salmon and Theobald Smith, The bacterium of swine 
plague. Z 
Theobald Smith, On the variability of pathogenic organisms 
as illustrated by the bacterium of swine plague. 
D. E. Salmon, The theory of immunity from contagious dis- 
eases, 
It is not possible for us to give more than a slight account of 
a part of these papers, except of two or three which will appear 
in our columns in the form of abstracts prepared by the authors. 
Dr. Sturtevant’s first paper described several lettuce plants 
grown from seed obtained from crossing two dissimilar varieties. 
One plant in particular much resembled the wild type, and the 
conclusion is reached that atavism has been one of the determin- 
ing influences. The study in agricultural botany by the same 
author went to show that plants under cultivation have circum- 
scribed limits of variation, and that the present type varieties, 
particularly of scorzonera, parsnip and carrot, probably origi- 
nated from natural prototypes, and not by human selection. 
The paper by Miss Martin and the second one by Miss Ab- 
bott were excellent examples of careful and valuable analytical 
work. Miss Abbott isolated a new camphor and a yellow color- 
ing matter, specimens of which were exhibited. Miss Abbott’s 
first paper, an abstract of which is to appear in the GAZETTE, ex- 
cited very favorable comment. The subject is worthy the careful 
attention of botanists. Te 
Prof. Vaughan’s paper is of special economic interest. He 
traces the poisonous effects occasionally experienced from eating 
cheese and ice cream to the presence of a ptomaine, which he has 
called tyrotoxicon, and which from its nature and the circum- 
stances attending its occurrence is believed to be due to a mi 
organism. He also points out that cholera infantum may be due 
to the same or a similar cause. 
Prof. MeMurtrie has studied the phenomenon of ropy cream 
from a chemical standpoint and finds no grounds for the opinion 
