398 BOTANICAL GAZEETT [NOVEMBER 
Geotropic stimulation and position.—Czaprx? has replied to Firrine with 
a paper which is largely a comparative study of the methods and results of the 
workers in this problem. The author concedes to Firtrnc that in many cases 
stronger stimulation occurs at go° than at 135°. On the other hand, FITTING’s 
conclusion that 45° above the horizontal and 45° below are equivalent positions 
is rejected. The reaction time is found to be practically the same at deviations 
tween 20° and 160°, but is noticeably longer either above or below those 
limits. The method of anti-ferment reaction shows that the stimulation is clearly 
less at 45° below than at 45° above. In the inverse position there is no anti- 
ferment reaction. Just how much significance is to be attributed to the results 
of this method the reviewer cannot say. CzAPExK believes that in spite of all the 
investigation of this problem a satisfactory solution is still in the future—Ray- 
MOND H. Ponp. 
Chemistry of germination ZatrsKr has studied certain changes that 
occur in the proteids of germinating seeds and contributes these points. The 
phosphorus-containing proteids and phosphatids (chiefly lecithin) are very quickly 
and almost totally decomposed by an enzyme, with the formation of “inorganic” 
phosphates, only 2 per cent. remaining unattacked. These bodies are apparently 
nucleo-albumins (phytovitellins). What the enzyme is, whether trypsin or @ 
special one, remains to be investigated. The formation of asparagin, like the 
proteid decomposition, is an enzymic process, proteolysis yielding material which 
forms asparagin in an unknown way and independent of temperature changes, 
at least in the later stages of germination. The nature of this process is to be 
further studied by the author.°—C. R. B. 
Absorption of solutes by soils.—Bulletin 32 of the Bureau of Soils'® is con- 
sistent with the high standard established by the previous publications of the 
Bureau. ScHREINER and Fartyer find as a general law in the case of phosphates 
that the amount of solute a given soil will withdraw from solution percolating 
through it is proportional to the quantity which the soil is still capable of absorb- 
ing —RayMonp H. Ponp. 
CZAPEK, FRIEDRICH, Die Wirkung verschiedener Neigungslagen auf den Geo- 
tropismus Sees Organe. Jahrb. Wiss. Bot. 43:145-175- 1906- 
8 ZALESKI, W., Uber die Rolle der Enzyme bei der Umwandlung oe 
Beige: in keimenden Samen. Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gesells. 24-2 85- 
291. 1906. 
9 , Zur Frage iiber den Einfluss der Temperatur auf die paar 
setzung und Asparaginbildung der Samen wahrend der Keimung. Ber. nies? 
Bot. Gesells. 24:292-5. 1906 
These two titles are excellent examples of over-minuteness—a fault to be avoided 
for the sake of those who have to cite the papers in future years. ee 
10 SCHREINER, OSWALD, and FaILyER, GEORGE H., The absorption of pre 
and potassium by soils. “Bureau of Soils, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bull. 3 
1906. ; 
