492 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



thirteen previous cases ' had recorded an average of only 0'0039 per cent., 

 while Palmer, in fourteen cases, found an average of 0'0217 per cent. 



Such discrepancies are not reassuring, but some explanation of them 

 may be found in the varying periods of digestion selected by these ob- 

 servers—viz., from one to two hours. But it would seem that a more 

 probable explanation is afforded by the evanescent character of the so- 

 called ' free ' HOI, to which reference has previously been made. In 

 contrast to these results, the determination of the physiologically active 

 HCl in our thirteen cases averaged 0'1626 per cent., live of them being 

 above 0'18 per cent. 



An unexpected difficulty arose in connection with the examination of a 

 number of the earlier ' test meals ' supplied to us, and to the results of which 

 no reference is now made, by reason of the fact that, as we subsequently 

 learnt, additions of varying amounts of water had been made in order to 

 overcome difficulty experienced in the withdrawal of the stomach contents. 

 Obviously, conclusions based on the examination of such diluted ' test- 

 meals ' can be of little or no value. To this point we think sufficient 

 attention has not previously been directed. 



Summarising the whole of the results of the work now recorded, it may 

 be stated generally that in mice, the subjects of transplanted or sponta- 

 neous cancer, there is found, on the average, a definite increase of physio- 

 logically active HCl in the gastric secretion. As regards the human 

 subject similar increase does not occur, while in some cases the amount 

 is decidedly below normal. Nevertheless, it would certainly not appear 

 justifiable to conclude that the amount of physiologically active HCl is 

 always greatly diminished in cases of cancer in the human subject. 



Further investigation not only of the variations in amount of HCl 

 secreted, but of concui'rent variations of the chemical constitution of the 

 blood, on which the former are probably in large measure dependent, 

 would appear to be most desirable, A commencement has already been 

 made with regard to work on the blood and, incidentally, the urine also ; 

 work which, if the Committee be reappointed, it is proposed to continue. 



Studies of Marsh Vegetation. — Report of the Committee, consisting of 

 Dr. F. F. Blackman (Chairman), Mr. A. G. Tansley (Secretary), 

 Profe.ssor A. C. Se\\ard, a7id Mr. A. AV. Hill. 



The work mentioned in the report of this Committee for last year has 

 been continued by Professor R. H. Yapp. Further experiments on 

 evaporation in relation to the stratification of marsh plants, as well as 

 various field observations, have been carried out at Wicken Fen. The 

 experiments on Spircea Uhnaria have been continued at Aberystwyth 

 and Cambridge. Work was carried on at Wicken Fen in August, 

 September, and November of 1907, and in January, April, July, and 

 August of 1908. In addition to this, various other localities in the Fen 

 Country and the Norfolk Broads have been visited. 



A preliminary account of the vegetation of Wicken Fen was pub- 

 lished in the 'New Phytologist ' (March 1908), and it is hoped that 

 further results will be ready for publication shortly. 



' Proc. Roy. Soo. 



