VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. ii. 7 5 Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture. Formation of Calcium Carbonate in the Soil by Bacteria. CONRAD T. GIMMINGHAM (J. Agric. Sci. 1911 4 145-149. Compare Munro Trans 1886 49 648 ; Hall and Miller Abstr. 1906 ii 119). -Six organisms were obtained from two soils which have the power of producing calcium carbonate from calcium oxalate. The time required as measured by the number of days which elapsed before crystals of calcium carbonate could be detected varied from fourteen to sixty-fiveii. 76 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. days. An impure mixed culture was found to be more active. No production of carbonate took place under anaerobic conditions. It is probable that soils contain a number of organisms which oxidise calcium oxalate ; the organisms seem to be more active in this respect when the soil is deficient in organic matter.I. Ammonification. CHARLES B. LIPMAN (Centr. Bakt. Par. 191 1 ii 32 58-64).- Chlorides of sodium potassium calcium and magnesium have been shown to exert a marked toxic effect on Bcm7Zus subtilis and it apkeared of interest to ascertain the effect. of alkali salts on the ammonia producing flora of normal soils. To 100 grams of air-dried soil were added 2 grams of dried blood and 18 C.C. of water or of a solution of sodium chloride sulphate or carbonate so that the amount of salt added varied from 0.2 to 2.0% of the soil. After incubation at 26-28' for four days the ammonia formed was distilled over with magnesium oxide. It was found that even such quantities as 0.2% of sodium chloride exerted a marked toxic effect on the soil bacteria and the amount of ammonia was only about one-third of that formed by the untreated soil.Sodium sulphate acts more gradually but leads t o a similiar diminution of bacterial activity. Sodium carbonate stimulates ammonification in doses up t o 1% and only begins to be toxic when present in quantities above 1.4%. This may serve t o explain the presence of large amounts of plant food associated with '' black alkali " (sodium carbonate) Eoils. Increased or decreased bacterial activity cannot be correlated with plant growth on such soils as the behaviour of bacteria towards these salts is the reverse of that of higher plants. H. B. H. The Bio-chemical Conversion of Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic Acid i n t o n- Valeric and 6-Aminovaleric Acids.CARL NEUBERG (Biochem Zeitsch 191 1 37 490-500).-By treatment of proline with the putrefactive bacteria derived from putrid meat in a suitable medium the two above-mentioned acids were obtained the valeric acid being separated by distillation with steam and the amino-acid left in the residue along with unchanged proline which latter substance was separated by means of its copper salt. A recapitulation of the putrefactive changes of the amino-acids already investigated by the author is also given. The Origin of Optically Active Valeric Acid in the Putre- faction of Proteins. CARL NEUBERG (Biochem. Zeitsch. 191 1 37 50 1-506).-d-isoLeucine yields on treatment with putrefactive bacteria as chief product d-valeric acid (a-methyl butyric acid) and also d-hexoic (d-P-methylvaleric) acid.The isoleucine employed was prepared synthetical 1 y . Does d-Ornithine Undergo Racemisation on Treatment with Putrefactive Bacteria 3 CARL NEUBERC (Biochem. Zeitsck. 1911 37 507-509).-The author could detect no racemisation of the d-base during putrefaction and in this respect obtained a result not in accordance with that obtained by Ackermann. N. H. J. M. Toxic Effects of " Alkali Salts " in Soils on Soil Bacteria. S. B. S. S. B. S. S. B. S .VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. ii. 7 7 Nitrogen Nutrition of Aspergillus niger. WIDAR BRENNER (Ber. Deut. botan. Ges. 191 1 29 479-483).-Experiments with Aspergillus niger on the assimilation of various forms of nitrogen showed that the most suitable of the compounds employed mere ammonium lactate tartrate succinate and oxalabe and asparagine.Carbamide and the mineral salts of ammonium come next in the following order sulphate chloride nitrate and phosphate ; then ammonium acetate and formate formamide nitrosodimethylamine hydrochloride and pyridine nitrate I n tho case of pyridine nitrate only the nitric nitrogen seems to be assimilated. Normal butylamine hydrmhloride follows immediately after nitrates. Guanidine nitrate and hydrochloride come next then isobutylamine hydrochloride and lastly isoamylamine hydrochloride hydroxylamine sulphate benzylamine sulphate dicyanodiamide and acetonitrile. Free ammonia sodium nitrite ammonium valerate and potassium cyanide are toxic whilst tetramethylammonium chloride nitro- guanidine nitromet hane isoamylamine acetat,e and pyridine and piper- idine chlorides were not utilised as sources of nitrogen.N H J. M. Cellobiose as a Source of Energy for Nitrogen Fixation by Azotobacter. ALFRED KOCH and SIEGFRIED SEYDEL (Centy. Bakt. Par. 1911 ii 31 567-570).-Cellulose cannot be utilised directly by Axotobacter and must undergo a preliminary decom- position by certain soil organisms before any nitrogen is assimilated. An attempt was made to cultivate Axotobacter on agar with 2% cellobiose but only one culture showed any gain (10.7 mg. N per gram of cellobiose supplied). This was due no doubt to the presence of soil bacteria capable of attacking the compound tested with the formation of sugar. Other cultures gave slight gains (2.55 mg.) when Aspergillzcs was grown on the medium previous to inoculation with Axotobacter.The conclusion is drawn tbat this organism is unable to utilise cellobiose in pure culture but does so in the presence of certain soil bacteria or of Aspergillus niger. The Process of Nitrogen Assimilation by Azotobacter. ALFBED KOCE and SIEGFRIED SEYDEL (Centr. Bakt. Pay. 1911 ii 31 570-577).-The usual method of estimating the nitrogen-fixing power of Axotobacter. whereby the amount of nitrogen gained is calculated on the amount OF carbohydrate supplied does not accurately represent tho intensity of the process. By means of a series of sugar and nitrogen estimations i t is shown that nitrogen fixation only occurs during active growth and comes to an end after five to eight days.The rest of the carbohydrate is used for respiration and other purposes. In one series of estimations the amounts of nitrogen fixed per gram of dextrose used were 53 70-80,20-30,5-8 mg. on the second third seventh and eighth days respectively. The Permeability of the Yeast Cell. SYDNEY G . PAINE (Proc. Roy. Xoc. 1911 B 84 289-307).-Pressed brewers' yeast was H. B. H. H. B. H.ii. 78 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. immersed for varying times in solutions of various substances and the distribution of the substance between the cells and the surrounding liquid ascertained. With dilute alcohol in concentrations varying from 5 to 20% the ratio of tho concentration within the cells to that without rapidly becomes constant and is independent of the absolute concentra- tion.Alcohol is believed to diffuse readily into the cell arid as this ratio is not unity but approximately 0.85 it is probable that all the water within the yeast cell is not available for diffusion of the alcohol. All salts which have been tried are taken up by yeast from moderately concentrated solutions but differ from alcohol in that equilibrium is roached very much more slowly and the absorption is not nearly so corn- plete. Thus in the case of alcohol equilibrium was reached within three hours whereas with 0.1 molar sodium chloride none had entered in the same time and only a small quantity after twenty hours. With 0.1 molar disodium hydrogen phosphate no salt had entered the cells even after twenty hours’ immersion but from 0.3 molar solutions a marked entrance was observed in the same time.Sodium hexose- phosphate behaved in a similar manner to sodium phosphate. As there is no evidence that the latter is fermented by living yeast whilst it is readily fermented by yesst-juice i t seems probable that this salt does not penetrate into the seat of fermentative activity of the yeast-cell. W. J.Y. Fermentations with Yeast in Absence of Sugar. VI. CARL NEUBERG and L. KARCZACI (Biochem. Zeitsch. 1911 3’7 170-176. Compare Abstr. 1911 ii 320 520 1019 1020).-The action of the yeast ‘‘ carboxylase,” under the influence of which aldehyde and carbon dioxide are formed from oxalylacetic and pyruvic acids was investigated in the presence of the following substances Acetone- dicarboxylic acid chelidonic acid dihydroxytartaric acid benzoyl- acetic acid phenylpyruvic acid p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid phenyl- glyoxylic acid and acetylenedicarboxylic acid.A negative result was obtained wibh benzoylacetic acid and a doubtful one with acetylenedicarboxylic acid. All other acids showed evolution of carbon dioxide when treated with the enzyme. 8. B. s. Behaviour of Pentoses in Fermenting Mixtures. W. E. CROSS and BERNHARD TOLLENS (J. Landw. 1911 59 419-428. Compare Schone and Tollens ibid. 1901 21 ; Cross Bevan and Smith Trans. 1898 73 462).-The results of experiments with arabinose xylose arid rhamnose show that solutions free from sugars of the hexose series do not ferment and that the pentoses remain unchanged for a long time. Similar results were obtained in presence of dextrose when yeast-water was employed.I n artificial nutritive solutions however containing only small amounts of organic matter the pentoses are utilised for the growth of the yeast. N. H. J. M.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. ii. 79 Chemical Composition of Some Higher Fungi. A. GORIS and M. MAYCB~ (Compt. vend. 1911 153 1082-1084. Compare Abstr. 1909 ii 175).-Two cholesterols probably identical with Tanret’s ergosterol and fongosterol have been isolated from fungi of various species such as Lactrcrius piparatus Psalliota cccrnpestris Tricholoma album etc. A new compound apparently not a cholesterol has been obtained from cartnin fungi notably from CoZlyhia macdata. This substance is extracted from the dried material by means of acetone and occurs as large colourless crystals m.p. 201-202°. It is neutral does not contain nitrogen and is insoluble in water and ether. Carbamide is not invariably present in the higher fungi. The extent to which it occurs depends on the season and the mode of cultivation. w. 0. w. Narcosis and Want of Oxygen. 111. The Action of Narcotics and Oxygen-withdrawal on Germinating Seeds. G. MANSFIELD [witb in part B. FARKAS] (P’iiger’s Archiu 1911 143 175-185. Compare Abstr. 1910 ii 222).-The experiment,s recorded support Meyer’a views on the action of narcotics. They delay germination in exactly the same way as does the withdrawal of oxygen. W. D. H. Probable Function of the Essential Oils and Other Volatile Products of Plants as the Cause of the movement of Sap in Living Tissues. ITALO GIGLIOLI (Atti R.Accad. Lincei 1911 [v] 20 ii 349-36l).-The vapours of carbon dioxide ether chloroform and formaldehyde and of many essential oils decrease the surface tension of aqueous solutions as may be shown by the rapid disintegra- tion of soap-films exposed to them. Porous rock or sand which contains just as much water as it can hold by capillarity gives out water in an atmosphere containing these substances. A similar behaviour is observed in the case of many plants. When the dried comprsssed yeast of commerce is exposed to air containing the vapour of chloroform oil of eucalyptus or camphor or of camphor it becomes soft and juicy in a few hours ; in a few days the mass is wet enough t o filter and the filtrate is not water but a juice containing zymase. Boletus behaves in the same way exuding :t liquid containing much organic matter. The organs of the higher plants are similarly affected by these vapours and by those of a large number of essential oils; the tissues become more succulent and sap is exuded.The action may be revealed in the earlier stages by the activity of the enzymes which the moving saps contain; thus the seeds of the apricot and the leaves of the cherry-laurel are caused t o produce hydrogen cyanide by the vapours of a large number of essential oils and other sub- stances. The evolution of hydrogen cyanide is explained by the author as being due to the action of enzymes brought into contact with their substrates by the movement of the sap which the vapour initiates. Since the activity of plant enzymes often leads to the formation of essential oils the author regards the effect as cumulative and finds in it an explanation of the movement of sap in plants. R.V. S.ii. 80 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Plants Containing Essential Oils. ANNE W. K. DE JONG (Rec. trav. chim. 1911 30 211-219. Compare Abstr. 1905 i 802).- The quantity of essential oil in the plant is measured by distilling a definite weight of leaves with about five times the weight of water the water distilling over being returned from time to time until the quantity of essence in the distillate no longer increases. I n the case of Singapore Patchouli (Pogostemon tomentosw) i t is found that the essence is formed in the three top leaves and that the quantity only diminishes slightly with age.The branches also contain the essence and the roots contain an essence heavier than water. With Java Patchouli the quantity of essence also diminishes after the third leaf. Contrary to the idea in text-books on the subject the author finds that the quantityof essence in fermented leaves is not greater than in dried leaves. The first leaves however show by distillation a much smaller amount of essence than the other two. Formation of Anthocyanin. (Miss) MURIEL WIIELDALE (J. Genetics 1911 1 133-158. Compare Nierenstein and Wheldale this vol. i 42)-From the consideration of analogous reactions and the results of observations on the distribution of anthocyanin and from experimental evidence on the concentration of sugars and glucosides in various tissues on the existence of enzymes and on sugar feeding the following conclusions are drawn.The soluble pigments in flowering plants collectively termed antho- cyanin are oxidation products of colourless chromogens existing in the tissues as glucosidee. The production of the glucoside from the chrornogen and sugar is of the nature of a reversible enzyme reaction chromogen + sugar s glucoside + water and the oxidation of the chromogen which is effected by one or more enzymes can only take place after its liberation from the glucoside. The amount of free chrolriogen (and hence of pigment) formed at any time is thus inversely proportional to the concentration of sugar and directly proportional to the concentration of glucoside in the same tissue. The local production of anthocyanin is due to local variation in concentration either of the free sugars or the glucosides.Abnormal production of pigment results from similar differences in concentration caused by changes in metabolism due to altered conditions. The above hypothesis brings the formation of anthocyanin into line with that of other pigments produced after the death of the plant (indigo t i n e tc.) . C. A. JACOBSON (J. Amer. Chern. Xoc. 1911 33 2048-2051).-Experiments are described which indicate that alfalfa contains myristone in combination with one or more other substances. The compound or compounds can be extracted with hot 95% alcohol and the myristone can be isolated by means of dilute nitric acid. E. G. Amount of Hydrogen Cyanide during the Ripening of Bitter and Sweet Almonds.G. DE PLATO (Chem. Centr. 1911 ii 882 ; from Stax. sper. agrar. ital. 1911 44 449-458).-1n bitter W. 0. N. H. J. M. Myristone Obtained from Alfalfa.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE ii. 81 almonds the amount of free hydrogen cyanide diminishes whilst the glucoside hydrogen cyanide increases with the growth of the cotyledons. The hydrogen cyanide in sweet almonds disappears as ripening proceeds. N. H. J. M. Chemical Examination of the Leaves of Anona muricata. THOMAS CALLAN and FRANK TUTIN (Pharm. J. 1911 [iv] 33 743-745).-The alcoholic extract of the leaves on distillation in steam yielded a small amount of a green volatile oil having a strong rather agreeable odour. The water-soluble portion of the extract con- tained potassium chloride tannin dextrose uncrystsllisnble alkaloid and amorphous products the latter being extracted in turn by ether chloroform and amyl alcohol.The portion of the extract insoluble in water consisted of a soft oily green resin which was extracted suc- cessively with (a) light petroleum ( b ) ether ( c ) chloroform (d) ethyl acetate and ( e ) alcohol of which the first two alone gave extracts which yielded definite products (a) This was a dark green oily mass which when liydrolysed by potassium hydroxide in alcohol furnished myricyl alcohol and sitosterol with linoleic oleic and stearic acids and a fourth acid which may be lignoceric acid C,,H,,O,; (b) this formed a dark green soft mass which after the removal of a dark green solid sparingly soluble in ether was hydrolysecl by potassium hydroxide in alcohol and yielded a mixture of acids giving non-volatile methyl esters together with myricyl alcohol sitosterol and anonol y.-p. 294-29s’ (decomp.) crystallising in colourless leaflets and giving colour reactions similar t o those of ipurganol; the diacetyl derivative m. p. 1664 forms colourless flattened needles and the dibensoyt? derivative m. p. 197-19So small colourless needles. No glucoside was present. T. A. H. Crystalline Protein from the Latex of Antiaris toxicaria. YAS~IRO KOTAKE and FRANZ KNOOP (Zeitsch. physiol. Chern. 1911 75 48S-498).-The residues of Antiayis toxicaria latex after extraction with 85% alcohol (compare Kiliani Abstr. 191 1 i 138) when extracted with 0.8% acetic acid yield a substance crystallising in needles or short characteristic prisms.When purified by crystallisation from normal hydrochloric acid i t forms polyhedra and is free from ash. It is precipitated from solution in acetic acid by half-saturation with ainmonium sulphate and shows the protein colour reactions excepting that of Molisch. It has the composition C 48.02 H 5.7 N 15.6 8 7.2 [aID - 19-25’ and contains On hydrolysis the foimation of cystine tyrosine lysine glycine alanine proline and valine was detected. KAN KATO (Zeitsch. physiol. Chern. 191 1 ’75 456-474).-The sap of bamboo shoots con- tains nuclease and a ‘‘ deamidase,” which decomposes urea strongly and asparagino slightly but does not attack glycine. A proteolytic enzyme acting on fibrin was detected and is being investigated and one or more diastases.Amygdalin and salicin are also decomposed. H. B. H. ~,,H36O,(OH) 15.7% of water of crystallisation. E. F. A. The Enzymes in Young Bamboo Shoots. VOL. CII. ii. 6ii. 82 ABSTRACTS OF CEEMICAL PAPERS. The Influence of Chemicals on the Germinating Capacity of Cuecuta arvensis and Cuscuta trifolia. G. D'IPPOLITO (Chem. Zentr. 1911 ii 370; from Xtax. sperirn. agrrccv. ital. 44 301-308).- The action of chemicals in sterilised and ordinary soils on the germina- ting capacity of the seeds was investigated. Ammonium nitrate sodium carbonate calcium cyanamide and formalin kill the seeds potassium nitrate and carbonate almost ebtirely inhibit the germinating capacity sodium and calcium nitrates act less powerfully and mag- nesium sulphate has hardly any action.For killing Cuscutu the author recommends the treatment of the soil with either 2% ammonium nitrate or 1% formaldehyde solution. S. B. S. The Presence of Sucrose in Gentian Root Dried in the Air without Fermentation. MARC BRIDEL (J. Phccrm. Chim. 19 11 [vii] 4,455-458).-Gentian root which has been dried without under- going fermentation contains large quantities of carbohydrates hydro- lysahle by invertase. On the other hand commercial preparations which are fermented in the process employed in their production contain very much less of these carbohydrates. The principal carbohydrate is sucrose which was isolated from the root by extraction with alcohol. No gentianose could be obtaiued. W. J. P. A Proteolytic Enzyme in the Must of Over-ripe Grapes.ENHICO PANTANELLI (Centr. Bakt. PUT. 191 1 ii 31 545-559).-The must from over-ripe white and black grapes contains an enzyme which breaks down the proteins with the formation of soluble products not precipitated by copper hydroxide. This change is probably due to the action of several enzymes since it occurs also when the reaction is neutral or slightly alkaline. The presence of tannin does not inhibit the change. The decomposition products primarily formed become condensed by the act'ion of a substance to which the name synprotease has been given and a state of equilibrium is established Among the antiseptics employed thymol and potassium meta- hydrogen sulphite allow of a greater enzyme action than formaldehyde but the eulphite probably acts chemically as the amount of change increases with the sulphur dioxide content of tbe solution.H. B. H. Action of Certain Diureides and of Hippuric Acid on the Development and Tuberisation of Radishes. MABIN MOLLIARD (Compt. rend. 1911 153 958-960).-Radishes were grown in nutrient solut,ions to which 0.1% of different nitrogen compounds were added. Glycine carbamide xanthine sodium urate and allantoin increased the yield of dry material in the plants whilst sarcosine theobromine caffeine and sodiun hippurate exerted a toxic action diminishing the yield. Caffeine was the only compound which corn- pletely stopped development. Xanthine was less toxic than sarcosine ; sodium urate amd allantoin exerted the most favourable effect on development. The proportion of water in the plants showed anVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND BURICULTURE.ii. 83 increase with all the compounds examined except caffeine. Sodium urate increases the number of tubers formed and raises their total Presence of Glycogen in Phanerogame and its Relation to Calcium Oxalate. IOANNES POLITIS ( A tti R. Accad. Lincci 191 1 [v] 20 ii 431-439).-Glycogen which has hitherto been found among plants only in the cryptogams occurs also in certain phsnero- gams but always in cells in which deposits of calcium oxalate after- wards appear. The mucilage of the tubers of Orciris M ~ i o which has been cousidered to be cellulose is shown by its microchemical behaviour to be glycogen which has been similarly demonstrated in Blctia content of dry material. w. 0. w. y acin t hina Pit cair nia xaiz t hocub y x and Bi I? I b c rg i a nut ans.R. V. S. The Action of the Respiratory Enzymes of Sauromatum Venolsum. TH. WEEVERS (Proc. K . Akad. Vetensch. Antslerdam 1911 14 370-377).-1f the juice expressed from the spadices of Saurornatwn venosurn is precipitated with alcohol a crude preparation of an enzyme is obtained which decomposes dextrose with the forma- tion of carbonic and organic acids but without the production of alcohol either in air or an atmosphere of hydrogen. Destruction of the cellular structure and treatment with alcohol or acetone do not inactivate this respiratory enzyme. A crude enzyme is similarly obtained from the leaves of the plant but its action is weaker. In the ethereal extract of the acid liquid citric acid was demonstrated; this is probably formed by the respiratory enzyme at the expense of the dextrose.W. 0. H. Formation of the Alkaloids in Tobacco. CIRO RAVENNA and Y. BABINI (Atti 22. Accud. Lincei 1911 [v] 20 ii 393-398. Com- pare Ciamician and Eavenna hbstr. 19 11 ii 76 l).-The authors have estimated the amount of nicotine produced in tobacco plants in culture solutions with a view to determining the effect of nitrates dextrose and light. No final conclusions are drawn from the experi- ments but the amount of nicotine produced was greater in all cases than the amount found in plants grown in soil and the increase was greatest where both dextrose and nitrates were supplied to plants growing iu the light. The Ammonia Content of Tobacco Smoke. WILHELM VAUBEL (Cham. Zcit. 191 1 35 1331-1332).-The chsnge in colour of the Ieaves of certain flowera when .these are exposed to tobacco smoke is due to the presence of ammonia in the smoke; when the smoke from a cigar is drawn into the mouth the ammonia is absorbed and the smoke expelled from the mouth is without effect on the flowers.The author also discusses the physiological action of tobacco smoke. w. P. s. FRIEDRICH STROHMER and OTTOKAR FALLADA (Chem. Zentr. 191 1 ii 386 ; from 0sterr.-uozg. Zeitsch. Zuchr-lnd. Lucndw. 19 11 40 426-441 ).- Experiments were carried out on the replacement of sodium nitrate R. V. S. Manuring of Sugar Beets with Sodium Chloride. 6-2ii. 84 ABSTRACTS OF CEEMICAL PAPERS with ammonium sulphate containing the same amount of nitrogen together with sodium chloride.With the exception that the beets contained more chlorine and sodium the results were nearly the same. S. B. S. The Treatment of Soil with a Strong Continuous Electric Current. JOSEF KONIG JULIUS HASENBAUMER and C. HASSLER (Zeitsch. nngew. Chsm. 191 1 24 2341-2348. Compare Abstr. 1910 ii llO4).-The soil is mixed with water and introduced into a dialysing vessel in which a platinum cathode is placed. The platinum anode is placed in the outer vessel below the parchment diaphragm. A current of 3 amperes is then passed and the inner and outer solutions are renewed whenever the temperature reaches 50'. The collected anodic and cathodic solutions are filtered and analysed. With sandy soils the organic content of the acid liquid as shown by titration with permanganate is greater than that of the alkaline solution whilst with marly and clayey soils the proportions are reversed.This is due to tbe larger proportion of humic acids which do not coagulate but pass through the diaphragm in sandy soils. Other experiuients with soils previously treated with potassium phosphate show that only readily soluble salts and those retained by colloids are dissolved by the current. A comparison of three processes heating the soil with water under five atmospheres pressure oxida- tion with hydrogen peroxide and electrolysis shows that the two former methods dissolve about equal quantities of potash whilst oxidation dissolves rather more phosphoric acid. Electrolysis dissolves much greater quantities even a single passage of the current dissolving more potash and phosphates.C. H. n. Hygroscopic Moisture of Soils. CHARLES B. LIPMAN and LESLIE T. SHARP (J. Pzjysicul Chem. 1911 15 709-'722)-In the estimation of the amount of moisture absorbed from n sa.turated atmosphere by dried soils the soil must be exposed in a thin layer. If the soil is much woi-e than one millimetre deep a very long time is necessary for the attainment of equilibrium A rise in temperature with correspondiag rise in the pressure of the aqueous vupour leads to a greater absorption of water by the various soils studied but no definite law of absorption could be found. The absorptions appeared to be lower a t a steady temperature in the incubator than with fluctuating room temperatures of about the same degree. It is suggested that plants in the arid regions are protected by the great amounts of hygroscopic moisture absorbed by the soil with rising temperatures.R. J. C. Loew ' s Lime-Magnesium Ratio. ROBERT STEWART (J. I n d . Eny. Chem. 1911 3 376-378).-The beneficial action of lime on agricultural soils is a well-known and undisputed fact but that of magnesium is not understood and according to some authorities it has beneficial results only when present in a certain ratio t o the calcium whilst others state that it has a detrimental or even toxic effect on plant life.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY ASD AGRICULTURE. ii. 55 After discussing previous work on this subject the author describes the conditions prevailing on a farm belonging to the Utah experiment station where analysis of the soil at a depth of 1-8 feet shows the presence of 30-41% of calcium carbonate and 11-20% of magnesium carbonate and although the land has been continuously cropped for forty ye:irs without the addition of manure its average yield in bushels per acre is oats 82.0 wheat 50.4 and potatoes 262.The author suggests that possibly magnesium when present as the double salt MgCa(C03)2 reacts differently to the simple salt MgCO,. F. M. G. 31. Effect of Ignition on the Solubility of Soil Phosphates. GEORGE Y. FRAPS ( J . I n d . Eng. Chem. 1911 3 335).-An account OF experiments which demonstrate that the ignition of soil during ten miuutes at a dull red heat greatly increases the solubility of some OF its inorganic constituents in hydrochloric acid and therefore the experi- menters who consider the increased amount of soluble phosphoric acid found in soils after ignition to be due to liberated organic phosphorus are in error.The author finds t h a t ignition (1) increases the solubility tell times of the phosphoric acid in wsvellite dufrenite and variscite in NIB-nitric acid ; (2) it renders these minerals almost completely soluble in 12% hydrochloric acid and (3) it converts considerable quantities of iron and aluminium oxides into a soluble condition. F. M. G. M. After-effect of Palmaer Phosphate Basic Slag and Super- phosphate on Peat Soil. HJALMAR VON FEILITZEN (J. Landw. 1911 59 371-374).-Potatoes and blue lupins were grown in large boxes containing peaty soil previously manured with the three phosphates (P,O,= 50 and 100 kilos. per ha.).The after-effect with potatoes was greatest with basic slag next with Pizlmaer phosphate whilst with superphosphate somewhat lower results were obtained. The percentage of starch was highest i n the soil containing the residue of Palmaer phosphate and where the larger amount had heen applied (P,O,= 100 kilos.) the greatest yield of starch was a!so with Palmaer phosphate. I n the case of lupins the highest yield after an application of 50 kilos. of phosphoric acid was with superphosphate whilst with the higher amount of phosphates the best result was obtained from t h e residue of Palmaer phosphate. As regards after-effects Palmaer phosphate seerus therefore to be a t least equal to superphosphate on peat soil containing plenty of lime and nitrogen. The after-effect of basic slag is somewhat greater.N H. J. M. Volatilisation of Ammonia and Changes of Ammonia in Soils. JOHANN VON WLODECK (Bied. Zentr. 1911 40 729-734 ; from Inaug. Dias.).-The loss of ammonia from soils containing considerable amounts of calcium carbonate is much reduced when ammonia-superphosphate is employed instead of ammonium sulphate. A light soil manured with ammonium sulphate showed a loss ofii. 86 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS nitrogen whilst the same soil manured with ammonia-superphosphn te showed a gain. This is attributed t o increased fixation of nitrogen by soil organisms due to the application of phosphate. A loam soil containing over 10% of phosphoric acid soluble in hydrochloric acid gave the same results with ammonium sulphate as with ammonia super phosphate. As regards the fixation of the ammonia applied to soils manuring with ammonia-superphosphate as compared with ammonium sulphate seems to have a retarding effect. N.H. J. M. Origin of Creatinine in Soils. MICHAEL X. SULLIVAN (J. Awcr. ChLa~m. SOC. 191 1 33 2035-2042).-The occurrence of creatinine in soils has been demonstrated by Shorey (Science 1910 33 340). A study has now been made to determine its mode of origin. It has been found that creatinine occurs more abundantly in soil8 mhich have recently borne a crop than in those which have not been planted for some time. It has also been detected in water in which w heat-seedlings had been grown and also in wheat wheat-bran rye clover alfalfa cowpeas and potatoes. Although creatinine and creatine are o~ily present in small amounts in vegetable matter they are of importance since by the decay of plant tissues and by green manuring they collect i n the soil and exeraim a beneficial influence on the growth of the crops. E. G. Estimation of Solubility in Agricultural Chemistry. ARTHUR RINDELL (Akad. Einladungsschr. Helsingfom. 1910 67 pp.).-The difficulties in estimating the solubilities of different manures (especially phosphates) due t o varying conditions are discussed. Since the mineral constituents of plants can only be assimilated when in solution and it is probably correct to assume that the production of dry matter in crops has a constant relation to the amount of water used it is possible to calculate the concentration of the nutritive solutions taken up at different periods. The following figures are given for a normal crop of barley (2500 kilos. of grain and 3000 kilos. of straw and chaff per hectare) Period ......... I. 11. 111. IT. 1.-IV. Days ........................ 19 28 20 24 91 N mg. per litre ......... 76.6 21 *9 2 - 4 22.4 31.1 K,O ) ) ......... 108.6 35.9 (1.4) - 37 '9 P,O ......... 3 7 *7 15.9 10.0 13.1 17'3 N. H. J. M.