VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 57 Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture. Influence of Light on the Growth of Plants. By C. KRAUS (Bied. Cendr., 1879, 351).-The alterations of growth produced in plants by absence of light are of two kinds, one part of an organ or plant exhibiting an excessive, whilst another exhibits a diminished growth. This is easily verified in the case of dicotyledonous plants, where the internodes are subject to an increased and the leaves to a diminished growth when the plant is placed in the dark. Similar phenomena are observed in the case of monocotyledons and cryp- togams. Methyl alcohol when applied to the roots of plants causes them to die off, and has the same effect a3 light in promoting the formation of chlorophyll in tbe cells.Under the influence of methyl alcohol, young plants live longer in the dark, and their weight58 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. when dried is greater than in the case of plants which have not been placed under the same influence. J. K. C. Action of Ozone on the Colouring Matters of Plants. By A. R. LEEDS (Chem. News, 40, 86).-In the first trial, in which many varieties of flowers were exposed during nirieteen hours to the action of a currentf of 152 litres of air, containing in all 228 mgrms. of ozone, the bleaching effected was extremely imperfect,. When 1,200 litres of air were passed over various flowers (total ozone 1.8 grams), they were partly or wholly bleached at the end of five days. A piece of calico with a pattern in bright green and black was completely bleached during the same interval, the green having disappeared completely, and the stain of the mordant only remaining where the black had been.From these and other results, it is concluded that the colouring mat,ters of both leaves and flowers of the species (Lantana, Puchsia, Petunia, Rosa, Verbena, Pelargonium, Bouvcr,rdia, Eiiphorbia, &c.) es- perimented with were partly or wholly destroyed by ozone; but a considerable percentage of ozone is required t o produce this result, or if such small amounts as are obtained in the customary methods of ozonising air by phosphorus are employed (1 to 3 mgrms. per litre), a large volume of ozonised air must be used, and a considerable interval elapse before bleaching is effected. Distribution and Functions of Asparagine in the Vegetable Kingdom.By J. BORODIN (Bied. Centr., 1879, 35’i-SGO) .-Aspara- gine, according to Pfeffer, occurs only in a few plants, and in these only a t the time of germination. The author finds, however, that asparagine is present a t the time of budding in most plants, and also when they are in bloom. It appears to be a decomposition-product of albumin, and is formed when there is a lack of carbohydrates in the plant. When these, however, reappear, the asparagine is reconverted by their agency into albumin. From his researches, the author con- cludes that in $he early processes of growth there is a lack of these carbohydrates, and theref9re asparagine is formed a t these periods, being afterwards converted into albumin. Mineral Constituents in Hyacinths. By A.E. ROJEN and KRELAGE (Bied. Centr., 1879, 360-366).-The hyacinths were planted according to size, a t the ratle of 42? 90, and 196 plants to the square metre. The results of the examination of their mineral constituents may be seen from the following table. D. B. J. K. C. Miueral constituents in grams in each plant. 196 t; sq. metre. 90 to sq. metre. 42 to sq. Getre. Blossoms .... 0.042 0.230 0.303 Stem ...... 0.027 0.036 0.106 Leaves ...... 0.082 0-245 0.632 Bulb.. ...... 0.146 0.355 1.380 Roots ...... 0.022 0.022 0.311. Total.. .... 0.319 0.888 2.732 - - -VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 59 From this table, it is a t once evident that the mineral constituents increase very rapidly with t’he size of the plant, and also that the quantity extracted from the soil is by no means small.From one hectare alone, when planted with 42 hyacinths to the square meter, would be extracted in one season 1,147 kilos. of mineral substance. The following table shows the diffeyence in quantity of mineral matter in the bulbs when taken out of the ground just after the blossoming period and at the end of summer:- 196 to sq. metre. 90 to sq. metre. 42 to sq. melre. Bulbs dug out just after blossoming ........ 0.146 0.355 1.380 At the end of summer.. 0.557 0.987 2.3 14 J. K. C. Experiments with Various Sorts of Beet. By J. LANEK and C. PORTELE (Bied. Centr., 1879, 368--370).--The authors bring for- ward an account of the results obtained by growing various kinds of beet. They find that the ’‘ mammoth ” variety yielded the largest crop, whilst, the “ imperial” contained the largest percentage (10.7) of sugar.Formation of Nitric Acid in the Soil. By HkwErB, E. REJCHARDT, and HERTZ (Bied. Ceiztr., 1879, 327).-According to a former paper of Hunefeld’s, nitric acid is produced when the higher oxides of manganese are brought into contact with air, water, and magnesium carbonate. To confirm this statement, Reichardt and Hertz performed the following experiments. Hydrated oxide of manganese, together with various oxides and earths, such as magne- sium and calcium carbonates, alumina, and oxide of iron, were placed with a little water in a large flask, which was then closed and shaken a t intervals, care being taken to ascertain that no nitric acid was present at the beginning of the experiments.No nitric or nitrous acid was obtained when the manganese was used in conjunction with calcium carbouate or oxide of iron and alumina, but when mixed with magnesia or alkaline carbonates, nitric acid was recognised in the pro- duct. Pyrolusite gave the strongest reactions, and it was found that 50 grams put in a litre flask with 500 C.C. of water after sta’nding for eight days and frequent agitation yielded 045.5 gram of nitric acid. J. K. C. J. K. C . Calcium Carbonate in Water filtered through Dry Soil. By F. H. STORER and S. LEWIS ( B i e d . Cei~tr., 1879, 32b--331).-The authors find that a soil which has been ignited a t a temperature just sufficient to destroy the organic matter yields calcium carbonate when treated with pure water, even after it has just cooled.They have arrived, therefore, at the conclusion that when ignited at a low tem- perature, a soil has tlie power of still retaining ca,rbonic acid. When a dried soil is treated with water containing. carbonic acid, part of the latter is retained by the soil. This, according to Storer, is merely a mechanical result, and is due to the adhesion of the gas to the solid particles of the soil. J. K. C.60 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Mill Waste for Manure. By FRIEDBURG (Bied. Centr., 1879, 386).-This waste, consisting chiefly of dust and chaff from rye, was found on analysis to contain the following percentages of consti- tuents :-Phosphoric acid, 0.96 ; nitrogen, 1.80 ; water, 5-80 ; organic substance, 62.84 ; ash, 31.36. J. K. C.Analyses of Marl. By J. KONIG ( B i d Cent?.., 1870, 385).-The following are the results of the analysis of 85 samples from West- phalia :-The calcium carbonate varied from 1-36 to 94.83 per cent. ; magnesium carbonate was present in 21 samples, and in quantity from 0.38 to 27.39 per cent. Phosphoric acid varying in amount from 0.029 to 1.55 per cent. was found in 23 samples. Lastly potassium was estimated in 28 samples, and varied from 0.08 to 2.43 per cent. J. K. C. Influence of the Physical Condition of Superphosphate on its Value. By P. WAGNER (Bied. C'entr., 1879, 336--339).-The soluble phosphoric acid in superphosphate on corning into contact with the lime of the soil is converted into an insoluble form, and consequently does not penetrate into the soil; this is especially the case with a soil which contains much limestone, the author finding in one experiment that 93 per cent.of the soluble phosphoric acid had, after three hours' contact with a calcareous soil, become insoluble; the more quickly this conversion takes place, the less is the penetrating power of the phosphoric acid, and the more necessary it becomes to have the superphosphate in as fine a state of division as possible, and well mixed with the soil. J. K. C. The Shells of Crabs, Oysters, Mussels, &c., as Manure. By F. H. STORER and J. A. HKXSHAW ( R i d Cent?.., 1879, 331-336). -The authors have made several analyses of the shells of these animals, with a view to ascertain their value as manure. They find that the shells of oysters and mussels are composed almost entirely of carbonate of lime, and contain very little available phosphorus, nitro- gen, or potash, with the single exception of the common small mussel ( M y t h s borealis) , 1000 kilos.of which contain 2.8 kilos. of nitrogen. On the other hand the shells of crabs and crawfish are tolerably rich in fertilising materials, the king-crab (Linzulus americnm~s) containing as much as 12.5 per cent. of nitrogen, the agricultiiral value of which being, however, probably less than that of the nitrogen i n guano, On the whole, the shells of oysters and mussels may be used with advan- tage as a lime manure, especially after burning, whereby the small percentqes of phosphorus and potash are increased, and in those countries where they are cheaper than calcined limestone.J. I(. C.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 57Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture.Influence of Light on the Growth of Plants. By C. KRAUS(Bied. Cendr., 1879, 351).-The alterations of growth produced inplants by absence of light are of two kinds, one part of an organ orplant exhibiting an excessive, whilst another exhibits a diminishedgrowth. This is easily verified in the case of dicotyledonous plants,where the internodes are subject to an increased and the leavesto a diminished growth when the plant is placed in the dark. Similarphenomena are observed in the case of monocotyledons and cryp-togams. Methyl alcohol when applied to the roots of plants causesthem to die off, and has the same effect a3 light in promoting theformation of chlorophyll in tbe cells.Under the influence ofmethyl alcohol, young plants live longer in the dark, and their weigh58 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.when dried is greater than in the case of plants which have not beenplaced under the same influence. J. K. C.Action of Ozone on the Colouring Matters of Plants. ByA. R. LEEDS (Chem. News, 40, 86).-In the first trial, in which manyvarieties of flowers were exposed during nirieteen hours to the actionof a currentf of 152 litres of air, containing in all 228 mgrms. of ozone,the bleaching effected was extremely imperfect,. When 1,200 litres ofair were passed over various flowers (total ozone 1.8 grams), theywere partly or wholly bleached at the end of five days. A piece ofcalico with a pattern in bright green and black was completelybleached during the same interval, the green having disappearedcompletely, and the stain of the mordant only remaining where theblack had been.From these and other results, it is concluded that the colouringmat,ters of both leaves and flowers of the species (Lantana, Puchsia,Petunia, Rosa, Verbena, Pelargonium, Bouvcr,rdia, Eiiphorbia, &c.) es-perimented with were partly or wholly destroyed by ozone; but aconsiderable percentage of ozone is required t o produce this result,or if such small amounts as are obtained in the customary methods ofozonising air by phosphorus are employed (1 to 3 mgrms.per litre), alarge volume of ozonised air must be used, and a considerable intervalelapse before bleaching is effected.Distribution and Functions of Asparagine in the VegetableKingdom.By J. BORODIN (Bied. Centr., 1879, 35’i-SGO) .-Aspara-gine, according to Pfeffer, occurs only in a few plants, and in theseonly a t the time of germination. The author finds, however, thatasparagine is present a t the time of budding in most plants, and alsowhen they are in bloom. It appears to be a decomposition-product ofalbumin, and is formed when there is a lack of carbohydrates in theplant. When these, however, reappear, the asparagine is reconvertedby their agency into albumin. From his researches, the author con-cludes that in $he early processes of growth there is a lack of thesecarbohydrates, and theref9re asparagine is formed a t these periods,being afterwards converted into albumin.Mineral Constituents in Hyacinths. By A.E. ROJEN andKRELAGE (Bied. Centr., 1879, 360-366).-The hyacinths were plantedaccording to size, a t the ratle of 42? 90, and 196 plants to the squaremetre. The results of the examination of their mineral constituentsmay be seen from the following table.D. B.J. K. C.Miueral constituents in grams in each plant.196 t; sq. metre. 90 to sq. metre. 42 to sq. Getre.Blossoms .... 0.042 0.230 0.303Stem ...... 0.027 0.036 0.106Leaves ...... 0.082 0-245 0.632Bulb.. ...... 0.146 0.355 1.380Roots ...... 0.022 0.022 0.311.Total.. .... 0.319 0.888 2.732- - VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 59From this table, it is a t once evident that the mineral constituentsincrease very rapidly with t’he size of the plant, and also that thequantity extracted from the soil is by no means small.From onehectare alone, when planted with 42 hyacinths to the square meter,would be extracted in one season 1,147 kilos. of mineral substance.The following table shows the diffeyence in quantity of mineralmatter in the bulbs when taken out of the ground just after theblossoming period and at the end of summer:-196 to sq. metre. 90 to sq. metre. 42 to sq. melre.Bulbs dug out just afterblossoming ........ 0.146 0.355 1.380At the end of summer.. 0.557 0.987 2.3 14J. K. C.Experiments with Various Sorts of Beet. By J. LANEK andC. PORTELE (Bied. Centr., 1879, 368--370).--The authors bring for-ward an account of the results obtained by growing various kinds ofbeet.They find that the ’‘ mammoth ” variety yielded the largest crop,whilst, the “ imperial” contained the largest percentage (10.7) of sugar.Formation of Nitric Acid in the Soil. By HkwErB, E.REJCHARDT, and HERTZ (Bied. Ceiztr., 1879, 327).-According to aformer paper of Hunefeld’s, nitric acid is produced when the higheroxides of manganese are brought into contact with air, water, andmagnesium carbonate. To confirm this statement, Reichardt andHertz performed the following experiments. Hydrated oxide ofmanganese, together with various oxides and earths, such as magne-sium and calcium carbonates, alumina, and oxide of iron, were placedwith a little water in a large flask, which was then closed andshaken a t intervals, care being taken to ascertain that no nitric acidwas present at the beginning of the experiments.No nitric or nitrousacid was obtained when the manganese was used in conjunction withcalcium carbouate or oxide of iron and alumina, but when mixed withmagnesia or alkaline carbonates, nitric acid was recognised in the pro-duct. Pyrolusite gave the strongest reactions, and it was found that50 grams put in a litre flask with 500 C.C. of water after sta’nding foreight days and frequent agitation yielded 045.5 gram of nitric acid.J. K. C.J. K. C .Calcium Carbonate in Water filtered through Dry Soil.By F. H. STORER and S. LEWIS ( B i e d . Cei~tr., 1879, 32b--331).-Theauthors find that a soil which has been ignited a t a temperature justsufficient to destroy the organic matter yields calcium carbonate whentreated with pure water, even after it has just cooled.They havearrived, therefore, at the conclusion that when ignited at a low tem-perature, a soil has tlie power of still retaining ca,rbonic acid. Whena dried soil is treated with water containing. carbonic acid, part of thelatter is retained by the soil. This, according to Storer, is merely amechanical result, and is due to the adhesion of the gas to the solidparticles of the soil. J. K. C60 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.Mill Waste for Manure. By FRIEDBURG (Bied. Centr., 1879,386).-This waste, consisting chiefly of dust and chaff from rye, wasfound on analysis to contain the following percentages of consti-tuents :-Phosphoric acid, 0.96 ; nitrogen, 1.80 ; water, 5-80 ; organicsubstance, 62.84 ; ash, 31.36.J. K. C.Analyses of Marl. By J. KONIG ( B i d Cent?.., 1870, 385).-Thefollowing are the results of the analysis of 85 samples from West-phalia :-The calcium carbonate varied from 1-36 to 94.83 per cent. ;magnesium carbonate was present in 21 samples, and in quantity from0.38 to 27.39 per cent. Phosphoric acid varying in amount from0.029 to 1.55 per cent. was found in 23 samples. Lastly potassiumwas estimated in 28 samples, and varied from 0.08 to 2.43 per cent.J. K. C.Influence of the Physical Condition of Superphosphate onits Value. By P. WAGNER (Bied. C'entr., 1879, 336--339).-Thesoluble phosphoric acid in superphosphate on corning into contactwith the lime of the soil is converted into an insoluble form, andconsequently does not penetrate into the soil; this is especially thecase with a soil which contains much limestone, the author finding in oneexperiment that 93 per cent.of the soluble phosphoric acid had, afterthree hours' contact with a calcareous soil, become insoluble; themore quickly this conversion takes place, the less is the penetratingpower of the phosphoric acid, and the more necessary it becomes tohave the superphosphate in as fine a state of division as possible, andwell mixed with the soil. J. K. C.The Shells of Crabs, Oysters, Mussels, &c., as Manure. ByF. H. STORER and J. A. HKXSHAW ( R i d Cent?.., 1879, 331-336).-The authors have made several analyses of the shells of theseanimals, with a view to ascertain their value as manure. They findthat the shells of oysters and mussels are composed almost entirely ofcarbonate of lime, and contain very little available phosphorus, nitro-gen, or potash, with the single exception of the common small mussel( M y t h s borealis) , 1000 kilos. of which contain 2.8 kilos. of nitrogen.On the other hand the shells of crabs and crawfish are tolerably rich infertilising materials, the king-crab (Linzulus americnm~s) containingas much as 12.5 per cent. of nitrogen, the agricultiiral value of whichbeing, however, probably less than that of the nitrogen i n guano, Onthe whole, the shells of oysters and mussels may be used with advan-tage as a lime manure, especially after burning, whereby the smallpercentqes of phosphorus and potash are increased, and in thosecountries where they are cheaper than calcined limestone.J. I(. C