The specimen, which was collected in the coalbearing beds of the Tokun formation, is about 8 cm. in diameter. The symmetrical arrangement of certain meridional and other lines on its surface and attached fragments of what appears to have been an epicarp suggest that it may be a fossil fruit or nut. Other possibilities are suggested. A large colony of fossil coral: A. O. THOMAS. A coral colony of gigantic proportions was recently discovered in a reef of Niagaran corals in Jones county. Conditions under which the colony occurs, its dimensions and associations, are described. Illustrations. Notes on a decapod Crustacean from the Kinderhook shale near Burlington: OTTO WALTER. Mississippian crustaceans are comparatively rare. An incomplete specimen found imbedded in a hard shaly nodule is described. It seems to be allied to the old genus Paleopaleomon. Some observations on the history of Yangtse River, China: C. L. FOSTER. Some geologic aspects of conservation: JAMES H. LEES. Some of the beauty spots of Iowa are described and their scenic and geologic values are mentioned. The necessity for their preservation is emphasized. Some fundamental concepts of earth history: JAMES H. LEES. After a brief discussion of the evidence for progressive development of the material world there is given an outline of the trend of thought regarding the history of the earth. This outline covers the work of leading thinkers from the Greek and Roman philosophers to the great systems evolved by La Place and Chamberlin. (a) The Prairie du Chien-St. Peter unconformity in Iowa. (b) The origin of the St. Peter sandstone. (c) Some conclusions concerning the erosional history of the driftless area: A. C. TROWBRIDGE. Home Economics Improved method for home canning: C. N. KINNEY AND MAURICE RICKER. Suggested use of calcium chloride and other salts in solution in outer vessels of double boilers to raise boiling point in inner vessel. Experiments in cooking cereals, canning fruit and vegetables indicate that this cheaper device may replace the auto-clav for these purposes, especially when the inner vessel is subjected to slight pressure. Physics (a) Certain features of rheostat design. (b) An interesting case of resonance in an alternating current circuit: H. L. DODGE. The absence of relationship between electro-mechanical properties of selenium crystals and their photo-electric emission by ultra-violet light: F. C. BROWN AND F. S. YETTER. The X-ray K-radiation from tungsten: ELMER DER SHEM. The influence of intensity ratio in binaural sound localization: E. M. BERRY AND C. C. BUNCH. A peculiar electrically conducting layer on the surface of mica: G. W. STEWART. On the torsional elasticity of drawn tungsten wires: L. P. SIEG. The thermal conductivity of tellurium: Arthur R. FORTSCH. (a) Electrical capacity of similar, non-parallel plane plates, and its application where the plates. are non-rectangular. (b) Mathematics of stroboscopy; The strobodeik; Theory of the stroboscopic effect by reflection of light from vibrating mirrors. (c) Precontact conduction currents: L. E. DODD. Effect of drawing on the density and specific re- Zoology and Allied Subjects Birds of the past winter, 1916-17, in northwestern Iowa: T. C. STEPHENS. A list of the birds observed in Clay and O'Brien counties, Iowa: IRA N. GABRIELSON. An annotated list of the mammals of Sac county, Iowa: J. A. SPURRELL. Bell's vireo studies: WALTER W. BENNETT. (Illustrated with lantern.) Observations on Bell's vireo, a species of the central United States which has heretofore been little studied. Near Sioux City it arrives unobtrusively from the south during the second and third weeks in May. During nesting, which immediately follows, the bird has been found to sing on the nest after the fashion of the warbling vireo. A tendency of the bird to become easily tamed, a habit of very frequently sitting for long periods in a resting attitude near the nest, and other characteristic actions have been noted. Also, an unusually large proportion of cowbird's eggs in their nests and other facts point to a possible diminishing number of individuals of the species, at least near Sioux City. An analysis of the cranial ganglia in Squalus acanthias: SALLY P. HUGHES. (Illustrated with lantern.) This analysis confirms the results of Strong (1903) and Landacre (1916). The trigeminus ganglion is constricted into a ventral maxillaris and a dorsal mandibular and superficial ophthalmic portion; the ophthalmicus profundus has a distinct ganglion. The facialis comprises the geniculate ganglion, a motor root distributed through the hyomandibular trunk, and three lateral line ganglia—a buccal, a superficial ophthalmic VII., and a third out in the hyomandibular trunk-the fibers from the last two forming the dorsal lateral line root, those from the buccal, the ventral. The auditory ganglion is distinct, rising by a large root just ventral and posterior to the lateral line roots of the VII. The IX. ganglion is visceral sensory with a small lateral line ganglion in its anterior end. The lateral line fibers rise by a small separate root just barely in contact dorsally with the lateral line root of the X. The vagus rises by a large anterior lateral line root followed by a succession of visceral sensory and motor roots. There are three lateral line ganglia on the X., almost fused together. A small general cutaneous element is given off with fibers from the first two of these. The visceral ganglia are also slightly segmented into four branchial and one intestinal portion, the last two quite inseparable. The cervical plexus, comprising the two occipitals and first three spinal nerves, is in contact with the vagus, but entirely distinct from it. The eyeball and associated structures in the blindworms: H. W. NORRIS. (Illustrated with lantern.) The optical apparatus in the Caecilians undergoes various degrees of degeneration and transformation, from a condition where the entire mechanism is present, but in a rudimentary condition, to that where only a vestigial eyeball and much modified and transformed retractor and levator bulbi muscle are present. Bermuda as a type collecting ground for invertebrates: H. A. CROSS, JR. White grub outbreaks in northeastern Iowa: R. L. WEBSTER. A brief account of the destructive outbreaks of white grubs in northeastern Iowa in 1912 and 1915; the relation of the contour of the land and the abundance of timber to these outbreaks; the prospects for damage in the near future. The influence of the male on litter size: EDWARD N. WENTWORTH. Entomostraca of northwestern Iowa: F. A. STROMSTEN. The following is a list of Entomostraca collected in the neighborhood of the Macbride Lakeside Laboratory, Lake Okoboji, Iowa, during August, 1916: Sida crystallina, Daphnia hyalina, Daphnia kahlbergensis, Daphnia Scapholebris mucronata, Simocephalus vetulus, Simocephalus serrulatus, S. americana, Bosmina longirostris, Camptocercus macrurus, Alonella excisa, Pleuroxus stramineus, P. hamatus, P. denticulatus, P. procurvus, Diaptomus sicilis, D. signicauda, D. oregonensis, D. clavipes, D. pallidus, Cyclops signatus var. coronatus, C. s. var. tenucornis, C. insignis, C. serrulatus, C. macrurus, C. fluviatilis, C. affinis, C. bicolor, C. phaleratus, C. fimbriatus. The development of the musk gland in the loggerhead turtle: FRANK A. STROMSTEN. Some new endoparasites of the snake: THESLE T. JOB. Porocephalus globicephalus Hett; the characters of the male, which Hett did not have in describing the species, are recorded and additional notes on the habits and anatomy of both sexes offered. A distome, Renifer sp?, closely allied to R. ellipticus Pratt. Measurements of the specimens recorded. Larvæ of Acanthocephalia, Gigantorynchus sp?, larval condition described. Further notes on the venous connections of the lymphatic system in the common rat: THESLE T. JOB. In addition to the portal, renal and ilio-lumbar vein communications reported in 1915, an inferior vena caval communication at the level of the lumbar nodes has been demonstrated. The variable occurrence of the communications and the lack of correlation of these taps is shown. The possible effect of the physiological condition of the animals and of the injecting technic on the demonstration of the communications is suggested. Conclusions as to the significance of the communications are delayed until the embryological study now in progress is completed. Mites affecting the poison oak: H. E. EWING. Notes on some Iowa rodents: DAYTON STONER. way on the rodents of Iowa for the Iowa Geological Survey. Two forms, Sciurus hudsonicus minnesota Allen and Lepus californicus melanotis Mearns, are for the first time recorded from Iowa and the known distribution of some other species of rodents is extended. A brief survey of the bounty system in the state is also given. Botany The Sand-flora of Iowa: B. SHIMEK. Some additional notes on the pollination of red The cleistogamy of Heteranthera dubia: R. B. The influence of soil management on the formation and development of fruit buds: R. S. KIRBY. (a) The white waterlily of Clear Lake, Iowa. (b) Tree growth in the vicinity of Grinnell, Iowa: H. S. CONARD. A picea from the glacial drift: WILBUR H. THOMAS. Pioneer plants on a new levee, III.: FRANK E. A. The morphology of the thallus and cupules of The œcial stage of alsike clover rust: W. H. DAVIS. The rusts on clover were formerly classified as one species until Liro proved the rust on white clover (T. repens L.) separate, autœcious and possessing all spore forms. The æcial stage of red clover rust was definitely described by Davis and Johnson at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, December, 1916. They showed this rust to be autœcious also, and composed of all spore forms. The disposition of the rust on alsike clover has not been clear; some place it with red clover rust while it is generally regarded as white clover rust. The æcial stage has not been reported in the United States, but has been reported in Germany by Rostrup (1888). The correct determination of his host is not generally accepted. The use of ferric and ferrous phosphate in nutrient solutions: GEORGE E. CORSON AND ARTHUR L. ВАККЕ. A series of experiments have been performed using varying amounts of ferrous and ferric phos phate in Shive's solution as a general basis, in the growth of wheat and Canada field pea seedlings. Ferrous phosphate can not replace the ferric phosphate. The amount as used by Shive has been determined to be the best for the growth of wheat, but for Canada field pea the iron requirement is evidently higher. Chemistry (a) Some natural waters of central New York. (b) Diffusion phenomena of double salts: NICHOLAS KNIGHT. Water-works laboratories: JACK J. HINMAN, Jr. A collection of data from ninety water works laboratories in the United States and Canada, safeguarding an average daily supply of 2,800,000,000 gallons for more than 17,000,000 people. All of these laboratories have been established since 1897. Their organization and methods of chemical and bacteriological control are discussed from the technical standpoint. Laboratory control is essential to the proper operation of water-works plants which treat a water of variable character. The free energy of dilution of lithium chloride in aqueous and alcoholic solutions by the electromotive force method: F. S. MORTIMER AND J. N. PEARCE. The electrical conductivity and viscosity of solutions of silver nitrate in pyridine: H. L. DUNLAP AND J. N. PEARCE. A study of the relation between solubility, the heat of solution and the properties of the solvent: H. E. FOWLER AND J. N. PEARCE. The partial analyses of some Iowa clays (preliminary report): J. N. PEARCE. The protein content and microchemical tests of the seeds of some common Iowa weeds: L. H. PAMMEL AND A. W. Dox. (a) Synthesis of a naphthotetrazine from diethyl succinylosuccinate and dicyandiamide. (b) The behavior of benzidine toward selenic and telluric acids. (c) Amino acids and microorganisms: ARTHUR W. Dox. The separation and gravimetric estimation of potassium: S. B. KUZIRIAN. The action of the amino group on amylolitic enzymes: E. W. ROCKWOOD. Some of the factors that influence the extraction of SCIENCE THE NEXT STEP IN IMPROVEMENT IN WHEAT CROPPING-HOW TO INCREASE WHEAT PRODUC TION IN 1918 AND 19191 YOUR secretary has requested me to prepare a paper on soil organisms affecting cereal production. The subjects which should come before you at this time are without question of the greatest importance to this nation and particularly to the cereal-producing states, and, of these, none are of greater import than those which touch upon the causes of seed and crop deterioration in cereals, under the general cropping and marketing processes now in use. In the case of wheat on the general market it may be truthfully described as yearly more closely approaching the "no grade" condition because of mixtures of kinds and qualities through the jumbling methods of the handling processes. In the case of the seed used on the land in such general cropped regions, the start or first crops produced are always at "No. 1 quality." The finish is always reached after a gradual yearly reduction in purity, vitality and weight quality, until crop failure ushers in seed importation, and then, final failure of the cereals as the chief crops. Are these consequences a matter of necessity? I am well aware that agriculturists, fertilizer experts, agronomists, and perhaps some plant pathologists, do not agree with me in assigning as great importance to the rôle of plant diseases and to soil and seed sanitation in cereal cropping as I do. However, stock raising, gardening and 1 Read before the third Interstate Cereal Conference. fruit growing communities have in a large way already adjusted themselves to sanitary methods of agriculture. At the risk of appearing too pointed, I bring to you the thought that it is time that cereal agriculture be adjusted so that the cropping methods known under the heading of tillage, crop rotation and soil fertilization may come into their own and prove their real merits through the agriculturists, agronomists and the cerealists getting together on a program which shall properly take into account the teachings of the soil biologists, plant physiologists and pathologists for the great cereal crops as has been done for flower and vegetable farming, for potatoes, fruit cropping and other types of intensive crop culture. It is notorious that aside from the applications of the principles of seed disinfection for the prevention of smut and a considerable work looking toward the selection of disease-resistant varieties very little in an organized way has been done looking toward putting cereal agriculture on a plane of sanitary cropping comparable to the intensive methods used with the crops mentioned. I think you will agree that the present wheat bushelage can not on the average year be greatly increased by just sowing more acres on the same old areas in the same old way or even in the same districts unless a great change is introduced. How wonderful has been the influence of plant pathology on the grape industry, on the fruit industry, on the apple crop and for the potato crop. When we want to grow these in the best way do we forget all principles of soil sanitation or of disease introduction and modes of distribution and infection? If the principles of sanitation associated with proper cropping methods in these more confined crops have been of benefit, what may they not do for the cereal crops when properly applied and adjusted to the cropping conditions of each great cereal district. Now that the governmental officials have appealed to this country to raise the greatest possible wheat crop, what have we done to get it? We have only advocated the sowing of the greatest number of acres in the quickest possible time. Granted that we were unprepared to do otherwise, shall the process be continued? Every conceivable bushel of every conceivable kind of wheat, mixed, diseased or otherwise, has gone into the soil and into any area available. Nothing more can be done now than to see that the crop is properly harvested so as to save the greatest possible bushelage in the best possible condition to prevent its food value from being injured, and particularly, that it may not be spoiled as seed for the crop of 1918-19. If such better harvesting is to occur, it must take place in a sanitary method. If it is to be done intelligently, there must be a comprehensive plan; and those who handle the crop after it is grown should know that their handling processes are as important as the cropping processes. Experiments in North Dakota with potatoes, flax, wheat and allied cereals, extending over the period of time from 1890 to 1917, dealing always with the problems of seed disinfection, soil purification and cropping methods for the control of disease, allow me to say with assurance that counted for the many anomalous results obsoil and seed infection has largely actained in various extensive experiments on wheat and cereal cropping, particularly as referring to variety tests, the influence of rotation, methods of plowing, tillage, etc.; for it is now known that through all these experiments in all cereal states there has been acting in greater or less virulence the constant attack of seed- and soil-borne diseases, which have not been properly taken into account. This lack of the proper consideration of sanitary measures as affecting |