292 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1912. 
In conjunction with Mr. A. T. Cameron, Professor Vincent has 
commenced an investigation into the chemistry of the thyroid apparatus 
and the réle of iodine in the economy. Some analyses of thyroids and 
other glands have been made, but the work has not advanced far 
enough to enable us to make any definite report. 
The Committee ask to be reappointed, with a grant of 401. 
The liffect of Low Temperatures on Cold-blooded Animals.— 
Report of the Committee, consisting of Professor SWALE 
Vincent (Chairman), and Mr. A. T. CAMERON (Secretary). 
On account of pressure of other work, this Committee can only make 
a preliminary report. 
Taking advantage of the exceptional temperature conditions at 
Winnipeg during the winter Mr. Wm. L. Mann, B.A., has carried out 
a series of experiments with frogs. These show that exposure to a 
temperature of —14° C, for a period of somewhat over an hour is fatal, 
although muscular tissue is still, after thawing, sensitive to induced 
shocks ; the heart, although it has ceased beating, is not rigid, and may 
recommence to beat. Exposure to a temperature of —12° for the 
same length of time is not fatal, although the animal becomes com- 
pletely rigid. When, however, the limbs are frozen extended, on 
thawing they are found to be paralysed. It is probable that much 
smaller depressions of temperature would prove fatal if the effect could 
be sufficiently prolonged; a self-regulating apparatus is at present 
being constructed which it is hoped will give constant temperatures 
between —40° and + 20°, and with which a much more systematic 
series of observations can be attempted. 
The Committee request to be reappointed, with a grant of 101. 
The Structure of Fossil Plants.—Report of the Committee, con- 
sisting of Professor F. W. Ontver (Chairman), Professor 
FH. EH. Weiss (Secretary), Mr. E. NEwELt ARBER, Dr. D. H. 
Scott, and Professor A. C. SEWARD. 
Tue whole of the grant of 151. has been devoted to the purchase of an 
extensive series of sections of the coal measure fossil Sutcliffia. The 
interest of the specimen, which is considerable, depends upon the 
presence of much secondary tissue in the stem. 
The sections have been placed in the hands of Dr. E. de Fraine 
for description, and the results, which are of great value, will shortly 
be published. 
