No abstract

The oxygen consumption of male Long-Evans rats was determined at three different ambient temperatures in air and in an equivalent helium-oxygen mixture. It was found that when the ambient temperature is near the skin temperature of the rat, the effect of helium is insignificant. If the ambient temperature is lowered, helium induces an increased metabolism over air at the same temperature. Since helium has a thermal conductivity about six times greater than nitrogen, it is concluded that the accelerated metabolism is in response to the greater heat loss in the presence of helium and the magnitude of this response is proportional to the thermal gradient between the animal and the environment.

No abstract

In a recent paper we explored the possibility of comparing the physical and chemical characteristics of aboriginal sites by the small-sample method. The two mounds investigated showed clear differences with respect to certain features. Whether or not there were quantitative distinctions pertaining to other properties depended upon the validity of the sampling method. It thus became apparent to us that a further investigation should be made wherein the results obtained by sampling could be tested by comparison with data based upon practical certainty. In other words one mound should be sampled and at the same time be completely excavated so as to determine the actual values for the entities under consideration. Concomitantly, an opportunity would be offered to make an archaeological analysis of an aboriginal site in its entirety, including a tabulation of all the cultural elements present, such as artifacts and burials.

A good many years ago Nelson and Gifford made a careful and extensive survey of the shellmounds of San Francisco Bay, in the course of which they utilized quantitative methods of analysis to determine the probable age of the cultures represented. In the years since their publications, new deposits have come to light in various parts of the Americas to which their methods might be applied, and a great deal more knowledge is now available which is applicable to the field of primitive dietetics.