September 18, 1914] 



SCIENCE 



413 



available (at least within the limits observed), 

 according to our author, while the reverse is 

 true in the other species just mentioned. Mr. 

 Long might profitably have referred to Dr. 

 Spence's experiments on Hevea in connection 

 with his discussion of the functions of latex, 

 about which we are indeed, as he states, very 

 much in the dark. 



No less important practically is the ques- 

 tion of the nature of coagulation, and here 

 also from now on careful scientific methods 

 must be employed if further material progress 

 is to be made. 



Mr. Long's book indicates these and numer- 

 ous other problems which await the attention 

 of both planter and scientist, and because of 

 this and because it contains a summary of 

 practical results in plantation methods and 

 management thus far obtained stated by an 

 evidently careful student of practical meth- 

 ods, it will be worth study by every one in- 

 terested. Tables of approximate costs and of 

 data derived from tapping experiments based 

 upon his actual experience in the east are 

 given and the value of these is beyond ques- 

 tion as offering guidance to those concerned. 

 F. E. Lloyd 



McGiLL University 



THM WOBK OF THE U. S. FISHEBIE8 MA- 

 SINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT 

 BEAVFOBT, N. C, DUBIN6 

 1913 



The laboratory of the Bureau of Fisheries at 

 Beaufort, North Carolina, was opened to in- 

 vestigators engaged in the scientific and eco- 

 nomic problems of the Bureau and to indepen- 

 dent workers on June 9, and closed about the 

 middle of September. The number assigned to 

 the laboratory taxed its capacity and not all 

 applicants could be accommodated. Following 

 is a brief summary of the summer's work and 

 of the various activities of the station during 

 the year. 



The equipment of the station was enhanced 

 by the addition of beam trawls, a small fish 

 trawl, stow-net, new pound-net, three new row- 

 beats, a photomicrographic outfit, and numer- 

 ous other articles needed in the laboratory, 



power house and mess house. The most im- 

 portant addition was that of a 33-foot motor 

 boat equipped with a 24 horse power 4-cycle 

 4-cylinder Lamb engine. This boat has a 10- 

 foot saloon with suitable accommodations for 

 extended trips and a large after deck, conveni- 

 ent for landing the beam trawls, boat dredges 

 and fish trawls used at the station. It is a one- 

 man control boat and is especially adapted to 

 the needs of the laboratory. A new dark room 

 for photographic work was built in one end of 

 the laboratory. This replaced the one on the 

 museum floor and added greatly to the con- 

 veniences of the laboratory. 



The success attendent on the propagation of 

 the diamond-back terrapin at this station has 

 attracted considerable attention and a number 

 of persons are contemplating engaging in this 

 industry. Early in the year a company was 

 formed at Beaufort and plans were perfected 

 for growing terrapin for market on a large 

 scale. The company has a well-equipped estab- 

 lishment with over 3,000 terrapin purchased for 

 breeding purposes. The adaptability of this 

 form to artificial conditions was shovTn by the 

 fact that terrapin purchased during the laying 

 season continued their activities in captivity 

 and before the close of the season over YOO 

 young terrapin had been added to the com- 

 pany's stock. 



The 1913 brood of the laboratory numbered 

 1,424 on November 10. This is an increase of 

 198 over the brood of the preceding year. The 

 average number of eggs per terrapin has stead- 

 ily increased with longer periods of confine- 

 ment. Those purchased in the early stages of 

 the experiment, this year averaged over 13 

 eggs apiece. It was also quite evident from 

 the number of eggs per nest that the terrapin 

 in this pound laid twice during the season. In 

 October, 554 terrapin belonging to the broods 

 of 1911 and 1912 were planted in suitable lo- 

 calities in Lynnhaven Bay, Va., and 200 of 

 the 1912 brood were sent to Chase, Florida, for 

 experimental purposes. A brief account of the 

 cultural experiments with this species by W. 

 P. Hay and H. D. Aller is contained in Eco- 

 nomic Circular No. 5 of the Bureau of Fisher- 

 ies issued June 24, 1913, and entitled " Arti- 



