2. The Sex of Parthenogenetic Frogs: JACQUES LOEB, Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, New York.

Two frogs obtained by artificial parthenogenesis, one ten months old the other thirteen months old, were found to be males, and the thesis that animals produced by artificial parthenogenesis are males is thus further corroborated.

3. De Vriesian Mutation in the Garden Bean, Phaseolus Vulgaris: J. ARTHUR HARRIS. The origin of the new race of beans seems most logically explained as a case of de Vriesian mutation. In this race the whole morphological organization of the seedling has apparently been changed and the race is characterized by a high degree of variability.

4. Studies of Ductless Glands by the Electrical Method: W. B. CANNON, Laboratory of Physiology, Harvard University.

The nerves distributed to the thyroid cells belong to the sympathetic and not to the vagus supply, and their effects are not indirect through alterations of blood flow. They are true secretory nerves.

5. The Distribution of the Chondriosomes to the Spermatozoa in Scorpions: EDMUND B. WILSON, Department of Zoology, Columbia University.

The chondriosome-material having the same origin, fate and (presumably) physiological significance may be distributed to the germcells by processes widely different even in nearly related animals. In one of the scorpions the distribution is effected by a definite process of division, in the other by an operation that has at least the aspect of a hit-ormiss segregation, and one that gives only an approximate equality of result.

6. New Data on the Archeology of Venezuela: HERBERT J. SPINDEN, American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Stone implements, including celts, pestles, etc., vessels and figurines of clay with painted and modeled decorations, personal ornaments of shell, nephrite, jet, and serpentine, as well as the petroglyphs and pictographs, occur in considerable quantity. The plastic art of

Venezuela is one and the same with the "archaic art" already known in Central America and Mexico.

7. Note on the Phosphorescence of Uranyl Salts: EDWARD L. NICHOLS, Department of Physics, Cornell University.

For the only examples of luminescence which admit of detailed inspection, the spectrum of phosphorescence is identical with that of fluorescence and it is suggested that this also applies to all phosphorescent materials. In spite of its great complexity, the luminescence spectrum of a uranyl salt is to be regarded as a unit, all its components decaying at the same rate after the cessation of excitation.

8. The Pyranometer: An Instrument for Measuring Sky Radiation: C. G. ABBOT AND L. B. ALDRICH, Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institution.

Two satisfactory types of this instrument, both derived in principle from the electrical compensation radiation instruments of the late K. Ångström, have been devised. Numerous observations of the sky-radiation have been made. On fine days the sky-radiation alone received on a horizontal surface ranges from 0.07 to 0.13 calories per square centimeter per minute.

9. Note on Lucas' Theorem: M. B. PORTER, Department of Mathematics, University of Texas.

A more general result than that obtained by Borel or Polya has been found.

10. A Variable System of Sevens on Two Twisted Cubic Curves: H. S. WHITE, Department of Mathematics, Vassar College. 11. The Neuromuscular Structure of SeaAnemones: G. H. PARKER AND E. G. TITUS, Zological Laboratory, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard College.

There are four types of muscle action; they are of phylogenetic significance, and show that the neuromuscular mechanism of sea-anemones is by no means so simple as originally supposed. 12. Change of the Ionization of Salts in Alcoholic Solvents with the Concentration: FREDERICK G. KEYES AND W. J. WINNINGHOFF, Research Laboratory of Physical

The present investigation on the conductance of sodium iodide and ammonium iodide in isoamyl alcohol and of sodium iodide in propyl alcohol was undertaken for two purposes: primarily to determine whether in these solvents, somewhat similar in nature to water, salts conform to the mass-action law at very small concentrations; and secondarily, to test further the applicability of Kraus' empirical equation throughout the fairly wide range of concentration employed in the work.

EDWIN BIDWELL WILSON MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

SPECIAL ARTICLES

A NEW MITE FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

RECENTLY, while visiting the Hawaiian Islands, my attention was called to a Chinese Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), growing on the grounds of the United States Experiment Station at Honolulu, which was very seriously infested by an apparently new species of mite. The injury caused by this mite is of the familiar erinose type, being produced on the lower side of the leaf. In many instances practically the entire lower surface of a leaf was covered with a light brown erineum, but more often distinct patches of variable size were produced. Badly attacked leaves assumed the general characteristics of peach leaves infected by the leaf-curl fungus (Exoascus deformans).

So far as could be learned, the infestation seemed to have been more or less sudden; at least, none was noticed until the injury had become very marked. The tree is considered very valuable and the infestation was so serious as to greatly endanger its life.

It was readily determined that the mite belonged to the genus Eriophyes. Specimens of infested leaves were referred to Dr. Nathan Banks through Dr. L. O. Howard, chief of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology. Dr. Banks indicates that the mite is a new species of Eriophyes. He also states that, so far as he can find, no mites have ever been recorded from the Litchi, and, further, that very few mites have been recorded from China. There

though imported from China, later became infested by a mite of Hawaiian origin.

The chisel proper is extremely simple, consisting of an L-shaped frame in one arm of which is a shaft bearing a balanced eccentric head and, at right angles, in the other, a square plunger holding the chisel point. One blow during each revolution (1,800 a minute) is dealt by the protruding part of the eccentric striking the head of the plunger. A spring holds the plunger away from the eccentric when not in use. The eccentric shaft of the chisel is connected directly to the armature shaft of a one eighth horse-power motor by a

flexible driving shaft, similar to those of the dental engines.

In work upon the larger specimens the chisel frame is held in the hand, the flexible shaft permitting of considerable freedom in manipulation. In the case of smaller specimens, it has been found best to secure the chisel frame in a vise and to hold the specimen in the hand. Putting the chisel in operation consists solely in pressing it against the specimen in the first case, or the specimen against it in the second. Probably of more importance than the speed, is the control of the length of the stroke, and hence of the liability of injury to the specimen. The full stroke is only one fourth of an inch, and by pressing lightly the stroke can be reduced to an extremely small fraction of an inch.

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

WILLIAM C. MORSE

THE OHIO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE IN accordance with the amendment of the constitution, adopted at the quarter-centennial anniversary in November, 1915, the twenty-sixth annual meeting of the Ohio Academy of Science was held at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22, 1916. Fifty-five members were in attendance.

The presidential address by Professor George D. Hubbard, of Oberlin College, was on the subject "What Has the Future for Geologists?" On Friday evening a joint session of the academy with the Ohio College Association and other affiliated societies was addressed by Professor Charles H. Judd, of the University of Chicago, on "The More Complete Articulation of Higher Institutions with High Schools." On Saturday morning the academy adjourned for a symposium of the Ohio College Association, addressed by representatives of the various affiliated societies. The academy was represented by Professor Lewis G. Westgate, of Ohio Wesleyan University, who spoke on "The Relation of the College to Research."'

The remaining scientific program was as follows:

ARCHEOLOGY

"Exploration of Tremper Mound," by W. C.

Mills.

BOTANY

"A New Three-Salt Nutrient Solution for Sand and Water Cultures," by A. G. McCall.

"The Distribution of Fungi in Porto Rico," by Bruce Fink.

"The Genus Physcia in Ohio," by Martha McGinniss, introduced by Bruce Fink.

"A Relative Score Method for Unmeasured Characters," by A. G. McCall.

"The Revegetation of the Katmai District of Alaska," by Robert F. Griggs.

"Decrease of Permeability with Age" (Preliminary Note), by H. M. Benedict.

"Methods of Spore Formation in the Zygnemales," by E. N. Transeau.

"Notes on the Germination of Tree Seeds, by William R. Lazenby.

"The Quince Leaf-Spot," by W. G. Stover. "A Blade Blight of Corn,'' by W. G. Stover and W. N. Ankeny.

"The Occurrence of the Volutella Rot in Ohio," by Gustav A. Meckstroth.

"Observations on the Ontogeny of the Gall of Pachypsylla mama Riley,'' by B. W. Wells. "Botanizing in Porto Rico," by Bruce Fink. "Parthenogenesis in the Dandelion," by Paul

B. Sears.

"The Educational Value of Wood Study," by A. B. Plowman.

"A New Method for Marking Slides," by Paul B. Sears.

"Certain Points in the Celloidin Method" (Demonstration), by A. B. Plowman.

ZOOLOGY

"Parallelism between the Cystid Agelacrinites (fossil) and the Holothurian Psolus (recent), with Demonstrations," by Stephen R. Williams.

"The Axial Rotation of Microorganisms and its Evolutionary Significance," by L. B. Walton. "Notes on Ohio Tingitidæ," by Carl J. Drake. "Insect Population of Grasslands," by Herbert Osborn.

"Genitalia of the Bedbug with special reference to a Unique Method of Copulation," by P. B. Wiltberger.

"The Origin of the Gasserian and Profundus Ganglia in Rana," by Ralph A. Knouff, introduced by F. L. Landacre.

"The Fusion of the Gasserian and Profundus Ganglia in Plethedon," by Katharine Okey, introduced by F. L. Landacre.

"The Origin of the Placodal Ganglia in Squalus,' by C. I. Reed, introduced by F. L. Land

acre.

benefit both of librarians and of scientists. However, until printed, it will be possible for any one to write directly to the Ohio State University Li

R. A. Budington.

"Feeding Thymus and Thyroid Extracts," by

E. P. Durrant.

"Notes on Protozoa. (a) A Review of the Arcellida. (b) Supplement to the Euglenoidina," by L. B. Walton.

"Notes on Birds," by H. A. Albyn.

"A Recent Ohio Specimen of Henslow's Sparrow" (Demonstration), by Edward L. Rice.

GEOLOGY

"On Wavemarks," by Walter H. Bucher. "The Northward Extension of the Physiographic Provinces of the United States," by W. N. Thayer. "Additions to the Anatomy of Lepadocystis moorei," by W. H. Shideler.

"Crystals," by W. N. Speckman.

PHYSICS

"Resistance of Electrolytes by a modification of Kohlrausch's Method," by M. E. Graber.

"Demonstration of Apparatus showing Analogy between Reactance Phenomena in Alternating Current Circuits and in Fluids," by F. C. Caldwell.

"Absorption of High Frequency X-rays," by S. J. M. Allen.

"The Symbols used in Geometry," by John H. Williams.

The trustees of the Research Fund reported a further gift of $250 from Mr. Emerson McMillin, of New York, for the encouragement of the research work of the academy. Since the last meeting a grant to L. B. Walton has been paid, and new grants made to L. S. Hopkins, F. L. Landacre, W. H. Shideler, B. W. Wells and Stephen R. Williams.

Gratifying progress was reported by the committee on scientific journals. The scope of this work, in which the academy is cooperating with the Ohio Library Association, is shown by the following paragraphs from the appeal for cooperation mailed to all important libraries in the state: "The Ohio Academy of Science and the College Section of the Ohio Library Association jointly propose to compile a union catalogue of the periodical and scientific sets (except documents) in the libraries of the state. This catalogue is to be made on cards, and filed with the Ohio State University Library, the official depository of the Ohio Academy of Science. Ultimately the academy hopes to print this union catalogue for the

tion of any scientific set in the state.'

"The Ohio Academy of Science has been working on such a proposition for several years, and much of preliminary data has been received. At the October, 1915, meeting of the Ohio Library Association a committee was named to compile a union catalogue of periodical sets so that librarians might know where sets are when needed by them in the various universities and colleges.'

"Therefore, this joint effort of the two associations, as outlined above, will bring into existence a bibliographical tool, the value of which will be indispensable to the college librarians and to the scientists of the Ohio Academy."

Obituary notices of Professor F. M. Webster, of Washington, D. C., and Professor John Royer, of Bradford, Ohio, were presented by the Committee on Necrology.

Sixteen new members were elected.

The officers for 1916-17 are as follows: President-Professor F. O. Grover, Oberlin Col

lege.

Vice-presidents-(Zoology) Professor Stephen R. Williams, Miami University; (Botany) Professor E. L. Fullmer, Baldwin-Wallace College; (Geology) Professor August Foerste, Steele High School, Dayton; (Physics) Professor M. E. Graber, Heidelberg University.

Secretary-Professor E. L. Rice, Ohio Wesleyan

University.

Treasurer-Professor J. S. Hine, Ohio State

University.

Executive Committee, in addition to the President, Secretary and Treasurer, members ex officio— Professor L. B. Walton, Kenyon College; Professor Bruce Fink, Miami University.

Trustees of Research Fund-Professor W. R. Lazenby, Ohio State University; Professor N. M. Fenneman, University of Cincinnati; Professor M. M. Metcalf, Oberlin College.

Publication Committee-Professor J. H. Schaffner, Ohio State University; Professor L. B. Walton, Kenyon College; Professor J. A. Culler, University of Cincinnati.

Library Committee-Professor W. C. Mills, Ohio State University; Professor F. O. Grover, Oberlin College; Mr. C. W. Reeder, Ohio State University. EDWARD L. RICE, Secretary

DELAWARE, OHIO