638 



SCIENCE 



[N. 8. Vol. XXXIV. No. 



If I might venture to point out what seems 

 to me to be the weak point in my own view 

 I should regard the evidence that the crossing 

 observed in the chiasms tj^e really takes place 

 is by no means as yet established (see Gregoire, 

 " La Cellule," 1910) ; for, while the twisting 

 can not be doubted it is stOl an open question 

 as to whether the chromosomes may untwist 

 before the " split in one plane " appears. 



T. H. Morgan 

 Columbia University 



the cotton ■worm 

 To THE Editor of Science: In connection 

 with the correspondence of Dr. H. T. Fernald 

 in the October 13 issue of Science on the cot- 

 ton worm in Massachusetts, it may be interest- 

 ing to note that there has been a very heavy 

 migration of this insect (Alabama argillacea 

 Hubn.) in the city of Pittsburgh this year. 

 The moths began to arrive about the tenth of 

 September and reached the maximum num- 

 bers on September 23, on which date hundreds 

 were to be found on electric light poles and 

 buildings in the heart of the city and passing 

 street cars stirred up swarms from sunny 

 places. The insects are still present (October 

 17) but not in very large numbers. 



John L. Rwdall 



THE air bladder IN CLUPEA HARANGUS 



In Science (October 13, 1911) I described 

 the air-bladder of OphiocepJialus and called 

 attention to the desirability of an investiga- 

 tion of the condition of the posterior duet to 

 the air-bladder in CJiipea harangus. In this 

 connection Dr. Gill has kindly called my at- 

 tention to a lecture by Professor Huxley, pub- 

 lished in Nature (April 2S, 18S1) in which he 

 (Huxley) shows conclusively that Clupea has 

 the posterior duet actually open to the ex- 

 terior. 



E. C. S. 



QVOTATIOXS 

 benzoate of soda ag.\in 

 The American public believes that a ques- 

 tion is not settled until it is settled right. 



This probably accounts for the fact that the 

 sodium benzoate question wiU not down. 

 And yet, although volumes have been written 

 on this much controverted sub.iect, the prob- 

 lem itself is really a simple one. There are 

 three basic facts on which aU are agreed: 

 First, no one denies that sodium benzoate in 

 foods may prove harmful in certain quantities, 

 under certain conditions or when given to cer- 

 tain classes of individuals. Second, no one 

 denies that foodstuffs of a high quality can be 

 put up without the use of sodium benzoate; 

 in fact the best food manufacturers do not 

 use this chemical. Third, no one denies that 

 when this chemical is used, scrupulous clean- 

 liness and extreme caie in handling are no 

 longer necessary. These are three incontro- 

 vertible facts, admitted grudgingly or frankly, 

 as the case may be, by both pro- and anti- 

 benzoate forces. Under the circumstances, 

 then, it is not irrational to conclude that 

 sodium benzoate should not be used as a food 

 preservative. 



And now comes from Berlin the " Expert 

 Opinion of the Royal Scientific Deputation 

 for iledical AfFairs Regarding the Use of 

 Benzoic Acid and its Salts for the Preserva- 

 tion of Food." These experts were requested 

 by the Minister of Education and Medical 

 Affairs in Germany to give their opinion on 

 this subject. In their report, they first de- 

 scribe the chemical and physiologic action of 

 these drug-3 and then briefly summarize the 

 findings of various scientists on the question 

 at issue. Of the decision of the United States 

 referee board, these German scientists say: 



The series of experiments in this connection 

 made by the American scientists are of too short 

 duration and the results coupled with certain lim- 

 itations, so that they can not be regarded as dem- 

 onstrating the unconditional non-injurious nature. 



After considering all of the evidence on the 

 subject the Scientific Deputation for Medical 

 Affairs reaches the following conclusions: 



In regard to the admissibility of the use of 

 benzoic acid and its salts for the preservation of 

 food it is mentioned that in France on the basis 

 of a decision of the Commit^ consultatif d 'hygiene 

 publique of October 1, 18SS, the Minister of Justice 



