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Experiments have been made by L. L. Harter to determine the 

 starch content of leaves dropped in autumn {Plant World 13 : 

 144-7) . Leaves of Liquidambar Styraciflua were tested four times 

 between August 17 and October 28. The leaves used in the 

 last test were picked from the ground soon after falling; the 

 greenest of the fallen leaves were used. The amount of starch 

 varied little more than one per cent, (the lowest 10.33 per cent., 

 September 15, and the highest, 11.47 per cent., October 23). 

 The starch percentage was based upon the dry weight of the 

 leaves. Previous workers had shown an increase of starch con- 

 tent with the development of the red coloring matter, and a 

 decrease before the leaves are dropped. It is suggested that the 

 cool weather of autumn may stimulate the production of oxidizing 

 ferments, and inhibit the action of diastase, thus making possible 

 an accumulation of starch in the leaves. 



The methods, content, and purpose of biologic science in the 

 secondary schools is the title of a paper in the January and 

 February numbers of School Science and Mathematics. The 

 author. Dr. G. W. Hunter (DeWitt Clinton High School, New 

 York City), shows from questionnaires representing 276 schools 

 in 34 states (i) an unexpected balance in the distribution of the 

 number of science courses in the four high school years ; (2) 

 that the largest number of courses are to be credited to the bio- 

 logic sciences (not including human physiology) ; (3) the develop- 

 ment of a unified course in general biology and in elementary 

 science in the first year of many high schools ; (4) that most of 

 such courses are year courses in each biological science (300 to 

 200 half year or shorter courses) ; and that morphology, physi- 

 ology, ecology and relation to man share almost evenly the 

 claim to emphasis (physiology slightly ahead) and utility or 

 utility and science training outrank science training alone. The 

 adaptation of the course to the pupil who does not go to 

 college is also discussed and several answers are quoted in this 

 connection. 



