1 66 The American Naturalist. [March, 
of the Kansas station.— Otto Lugger in the January Bulletin 
of the Minnesota station, publishes a paper on "Frosted and 
Rusted Wheat," apparently being for the most part a com- 
pilation from various sources.— The Spotting of Peaches 
and Cucumbers is treated by Professor Arthur in the January 
Bulletin from the Indiana station. The disease on peaches is 
caused by Cladosporium carpophilum Thuem, and that on Cu- 
cumbers by Cladosporium cucumerinuyn E. & A. Figures are 
given of various stages of the fungi. 
BACTERIOLOGY.^ 
The Bacteria of Snow." — In many countries, during sev- 
eral months, snow forms the natural covering of the earth. 
Waste materials of all sorts, which collect in houses, etc., in 
many villages and small cities are thrown out directly upon 
the earth, and in the winter the snow takes the place of the 
earth in receiving and absorbing contaminating matters. In 
the spring, the water from the melting snow makes its way 
into the earth, carrying with it various impurities, some of 
which may be pathogenic. Whether any change takes place 
in them during the long time the snow lies upon the earth or 
whether they enter the earth unchanged, is a question of 
much importance. 
Accordingto the author of this paper, at the time of his writ- 
ing, there was little or no literature concerning the bacteri- 
ology of snow. A number of investigators too, had worked 
on ice, but no where could he find any reports of examinations 
of snow. It remained uncertain whether its long stay on the 
earth changes the number or the character of the bacteria 
In the bacteriological examination of snow, it is obviously 
of first importance to secure it pure and free from accidental 
impurities, as it is often found, for example, on a large clear 
expanse. As it was evident that there would probably be a 
difference between snow which had lain long on the earth and 
freshly-fallen snow, the author made investigations of both 
kinds. Of fresh snow, some was caught, while falling, during 
' This Department is edited by Prof. Wm. T. Sedgwick, of the Mass. Institute of 
Technology, Boston, Mass., to whom brief communications, bo<.ks for review, etc., 
- "Ueber den Bakteriengehalt des Schnees," von Th. Janow>k;. Ccntralblattfiir 
