i. 116 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture. Oxidation of Manganous Carbonate by Microbes. M. W. BEYERINCK (I’YOC. K. Akad. Wetensch. Amstadant 1913 16 397-401). -When two pieces of filter paper with a little manganous carbon- ate between them and moistened with a dilute solution of ammonium chloride and potassium phosphate are infected with garden soil and kept at about 2 5 O dark brown or black spots of a manganic compound will appear on them after some days. The characteristic reactions of the manganic compound thus produced are the sudden decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the oxida- tion of hydriodic acid. An examination of the related microbes shows that bacteria and various species of mould are the cause of the oxidation. Pure cultures of the bacteria were obtained on agar plates con- taining 0.05-0*1% of manganous lactate.Small capsulated colonies appear which after being crushed prove to consist of delicate quickly-moving rodlets whilst the brown wall of the capsula again gives the usual manganic reactions. The mould species are readily grown on agar plates containing nothing but manganous carbonate and some mineral salts; on pure agar without manganous carbonate they also develop but lessVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. i. 11 7 quickly so that the carbonate evidently serves as a food and not only as a catalyst. These moulds belong to very different groups of the fungi and consist of species of the genera Botrytes Sporo- cylbe Trichocladium and in particular of Mycogone two of which Yapulosporn inaiigatiica and Sporocyb e clinrtoikoon are fully described.Oxidation appears t o occur as well within as without the mycelium. It could not be brought about by oxydase or peroxy- dase of difierent origin. The statemenb found in many textbooks that manganous carbon- ate is readily oxidised on exposure to air appears to require some modification since the author has been able to preserve an aqueous suspension of this substance for years without taking any special precautions whilst the manganous carbonate agar plates continue unchanged for months with free access of air. The Behaviour of Certain Bacteria towards d-Glucosamine. KURT MEYER (Biochern. Zeitsch. 1913 57. 297-299).-The behaviour of various species of bacteria grown in Barsiekov’s medium with addition of glucosamine was investigated.It was ascertained whether acid was formed or gas evolved. The results obtained were similar to those when dextrose was employed instead of glucosamine. The differences of behaviour towards the two substances are not sufficient to be of diagnostic value. A So-called Biochemical Variation of the Bulgarian Lactic Ferment. F. D U C H ~ ~ E K (Compt. rend. 1913 157 1095-1097).- An explanation of the differences observed by Bertrand and Effront in the biochemical behaviour of the lactic ferment. The author shows that the two workers were dealing with quite different material. Bertrand’s pure lactic ferment decomposes only lactose and some of the hexoses causing coagulation of the milk by the acidity produced whilst Eff ront’s commercial sample contained a proteolytic ferment and but a very feeble form of the Bulgarian ferment proper.He has studied both these forms and gives an account of the variations in their properties and as a result does not agree with Effront that there is a biochemical variation of the Bulgarian ferment. W. G. Bacterial and Enzymic Changee in Milk and Cream at Oo. M. E. PENNIKOTON J. S. HEPBURN E Q. ST. JOHN E. WITMEB M. 0. STAFFORD and J. I. BURRELL (J. Biol. Chorn. 1913. 16 331-368).-Milk and cream kept at freezing point undergo changes such as proteolysis lactic acid fermentation and libera- tion of fatty acids. The enzymes responsible for these and other changes are mainly secreted by bacteria which accommodate them- selves to the low temperature and proliferate. Micrococcus uuran- t i a c u s (Cohn) and M .ova7is (Escherich) which belong to the group of acid-formers were the predominant organisms found. W. D. H. The Rate and Magnitude of the Increase of Yeast in Wort. TOR CARLSON (Biochem. Zeitseh. 1913 57 31 3-334).-The yeast formed in the wort was measured by centrifugalising in tubes H. W. S. B. S.i. 118 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. terminating in graduated capillaries until the amount of sediment formed is constant. The relationship between the time of sedi- mentation and the speed of the centrifuge was determined experi- mentally. Ths rate of growth of yeast was plotted on a curve. At the commencement the rate of increase is an exponential function of the time. Afterwards however the foodstuff in the wort com- mences appreciably to diminish and this is accompanied by a diminution of the rate of increase in the yeast until finally the curve (representing this rate) runs nearly parallel with the abscissa (representing the time).The rate of growth may be fairly well expressed by the equation where ym represents the maximum amount of yeast which can be formed in a given wort and yz and yl the amounh formed at the end and beginning of the time t. In a current of air the rate is increased by about 12% and in a current of nitrogen by 25% whereas in a current of oxygen it is diminished by about 15%. Alcohol also diminishes the rate and in the presence of 12% the growth practically ceases. The relationship between the amount of yeast formed and the dilution of the wort was also investigated as the maximum of amount formed is not in the most concentrated yeast The relationship between the dilution (u) and the amount may be represented by the equation where Y represents the limiting value.alcohol formed determines in this case the magnitude of the crop. A- = 1 / A t * l%(Y - Y J Y 2 l (Y - Y2)Yj 9 = 1 y.. IYX) yo0 - Yo0 h The concentration of the S. B. S. Fermentations with Yeast in Absence of Sugar. XIII. The R61e of the Aldehyde Formation in the Fermentation of Sugars Bnd the So-celled Auto-fermentation. C. NEUBERG and JOH. KEHB (Riochem. Zeitsch. 1913 58. 158 -17O).-AlJet~pd~ has been fouiid as a fermentation product and i t is theoretically possible that it is an essential intermediary product (the equations being given in the text).The authors draw the conclusion however that this is not the case. The chief reason for this is that the quantities formed are extremely small even when their amount is increased by the addition of zinc chloride and there is no evidence that even these minimal quantities are formed from the sugars. Furthermore they do not regard the experimental evidence as satisfactory which tends t o show that acetaldehyde can be reduced t o alcohol by the yeast'. S. B. S. Influence of Mercury on Alcoholic Fermentation. P. NOTTIN (Compt. w r p d . . 191 3. 157 10W-l008~.-The phenctmenon observed by Lindet and Ammann (compare A. 1913 i 144) with respect to the action of mercury on alcoholic fermentation is due essentially t o mechanical action.The retardation of the fermentation is due to the formation OF mercury salts by the more or less prolonged contact of the metal with the naturally acid must. The increase in production of yeast is due to the action of the mercury in destroyingVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. i. 119 the supersaturation with respect to carbonic acid thus allowing the yeast to breathe and vegetate better. Apart from these effects th3 metal and its salts seem to be without marked action on the zymase or on its selective power. W. G. Influence of Metals on the Development of Aspergillus niger Cultivated on Raulin’s Liquid. M. BORNAND (Centr. Bakt. Pur 1913 [it]. 39 488-496).-As~~or~i/Zus niger has been grown on Raulin’s liquid contained in capsules of the metals silver alumin- ium copper iron tin lead zinc nickel and in a glass capsule with a layer of mercury.Control cultures were carried on in glass capsules. I n the case of silver contrary t o the results obtained by Cadur and Thiry (compare Compt. rend. SOC. Biol. 1913 487) and Clement (ibid. 1913 749) the author finds that this metal produces a retardation in the development but does not prevent sporulation which is however much weaker than in the control. It is not possible to accustom Aspergillus niger to develop in a normal manner on aaulin’s liquid in a silver capsule. With the other metals the development of the mould was checked except in the case of aluminium and platinum mercury entirely inhibiting development even after ten days. In no case was sporulation complete.The metals which were most active in checking develop- ment. were found to be most readily attacked and dissolved by Raulin’s liquid the exception being mercury which however vaporises slowly. I n the case of copper the mycelium is green and vermiculated (compare Sauton Ann. Inst. Pastezcr 1911 27 923) but when re-sown on Raulin’s liquid in a glass vessel it develops normally and sporulates completely. It is not possible to obtain a normal development of Aspergillus niger by replacing the salts of iron and zinc in Raulin’s liquid by the metals themselves in the form of containing vessels. W. G. The Substitution of Zinc by Various Chemical Elements in the Culture of Aspergillue niger [ Sterigmatocystis nigra] The Case of Cadmium and Glucinum. M. JAVILLIER (Chem. Zentr.1913 ii 603; from B d . Sci. Phrcrmacol. 1913. 20. 321-337. Compare A 1913 i 236 326; Lepierre A. 1913 i 326 327).- The author reaffirms his statement that cadmium and glucinum unlike zinc do not further the growth of Aspergillzcs. After four days the mycelium is by no means so heavy with cadmium salts as with zinc salts of the same concentration. I n time however the same weight may be reached but i t is due t o the formation of spores a t the expense of the mycelium in the case of zinc cadmium having an adverse effect on sporulation. During four days glucinum salts give no greater growth than a culture without zinc and even after some time the weight of mycelium is never so great as with zinc. J. C. W. Gomparative Influence of Zinc. Cadmium and Glucinum on the Growth of Some Hyphomycetes.M. JAVILLIER and (Mme.) H. TSCHERNORUTZKP (Compt. Tend. 1913 157 1173-1176).-Threei. 120 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. different types of Hyphomycetes have been grown on Raulin’s liquid containing no zinc cadmium or glucinum and on similar liquid to which one of these metals has been added in the form of salts a t dilutions varying from 1 in 100,000,000 t o 1 in 5000. The results show that in all three cases examined zinc has a marked superiority as 3 biological catalyst even in minute quantities. Cadmium is similar in its action t o zinc but has greater toxicity. Glucinum is almost completely inactive. W. G. Influence of Radioactive Emanations on Vegetation. J. STOKLASA and V. ZDOBNWKY (Compt. rend. 1913 157 1082-1084.Compare A. 1913 i 1421).-Plants have been grown under the following conditions and thus submitted t o the influence of radium emanation (1) Culture in Knopp’s nutritive solution made either with artificially radioactive water or with naturally radioactive water; (2) in pots filled with earth and watered with artificially radioactive water; (3) culture in large vessels (85 litres capacity) the air being rendered radiohctive by emanation. I n all cases radioactive emanation in small quantities exerted a f avourable influence on the development of the plant the mechanism of gaseous exchamges flowering f ertilisation and markedly on the crop weight. Large quantities of emanation on the other hand arrest growth. The chlorophyll is altered and plasmolysis occurs. The experiments were conducted with various species of plants giving in some cases an increase in the dry weight of the crop amounting to 164%.W. G. J. PARNAS ( C h m . Zen&. 1913 ii 1314 ; from Naburwiss. 1913 1 819-820).-An adverse criticism of Baur’s view that oxalic acid is the primary product in the assimilation of carbon dioxide by plants (compare A. 1908 ii 780; A. 1913 i 443). Photochemical Processes in the Diurnal Disappearance of Acids in Succulents. H. A. SPOEHR (Biocham. Zeitsch. 1913 57 95-111).-Attention is called to the well-known fact that juices of plants are more acid in the morning and that the acidity for the most part disappears on exposure t o light. Experimental evidence is brought forward to show that this disappearance is not due t o the action of ferments as i t also takes place in the heated juices after their exposure t o light.It is shown furthermore that certain plant acids especially dibasic acids readily undergo decom- position (but only in the presence of air) when exposed t o ultra- violet light- in quartz vessels. Malic and tartaric acids lose two molecules of carbon dioxide under these conditions and the alcohols thus formed are oxidised further to acetaldehyde and acetic acid. The latter acid also undergoes decomposition yielding formaldehyde and formic acid. The last-named acid yields carbon dioxide as final oxidation product. Acetaldehyde under conditions of light- oxidation can give rise to oxalic acid. Under the conditions of light-oxidation therefore the ordinary plant acids can give rise to The Genesis of Carbohydrates.J. C. W.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRTCULTURE. i. 121 volatile oxidation products. The discovery of formaldehyde as product of light-oxidation of acisls throws some doubt on the significance of Baeyer's hypothesis according to which the aldehyde is a direct photochemical product of carbon dioxide as it can be produced from plant acids. Distribution of Organic BaBes Particularly Adenine and Choline in the Vegetable Kingdom. K. YOSHIMURA (Zeitsch. phgsiol. Chem. 1913 88 334-345).-The flowers of Chrysanthcmurn sinense contain adenine choline arid a little etachydrine ; the leaves contain adenine a little choline and some stachydrine. The latter are remarkable in containing nearly 3% of calcium oxide calculated on the dried material.Young material of Chrysanthemum coromrium contains adenine and a little choline but no betaine. Ai.temisia vulgcrris and rice gluten contain both adenine and choline but no betaine. M o m s a1 ba contains adenine choline and trigonelline. New Tannin Reaction and its Relation to Anthocyanin. KUNO PECHE (Be).. deut. botan. Ges. 1913. 31 462-471).-When sections of the leaf or rind of Prwzzis laurocerasus are quickly heated in a mixture of equal parts of potassium hydroxide (20%) and formaldehyde a bluish-green coloration is produced in the cells with tannins which give a green coloration with ferric chloride. The colour is changed t o red by acids. The colours resemble the anthocyanins except as regards solubility. A soluble pigment was obtained from the sap of Mespilus germaniccr.The formaIdehyde only acts in preserving the phenolic hydroxyl from oxidation. I n the Rosaceze the pigments produced in this manner are only formed from tannins which give a green coloration with ferric chloride. It was also shown that in the Rosaceze the anthocyanins are formed from the same group of tannoids. Experimental Production of an Anthocyanin Identical with that which is Formed in Red Leaves in the Autumn Starting with a Compound Extracted from Green Leaves RAOUL COMBES (Compt. rend.. 1913 157 1003-1005. Compare A. 1909 ii 426; 1911 ii 1125).-The author has isolated from the green leaves of A nzpelopsis hederacea a substance crystallising in rosettes of brownish-yellow needles (loc. c i t . ) which when dissolved in alcohol acidified with hydrochloric acid is reduced by nascent hydrogen generated by sodium amalgam giving a compound crystallising ir purple needles and identical in its behaviour and properties with the natural anthocyanin extracted from red leaves.This supports the view that the anthocyan pigments in leaves are formed as a resnlt of the modification of a continuous phenomenon which takes place in the leaf organs during the whole of their existence. W. G. Constituents of Aloes. F. TUTIN and W. J. S. NAUNTON (PAarm. Jouwa. 1913 [iv] 37 836).-The primary object of this S. B. S. E. F. A. N. H. J. M.i. 122 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. investigation was to ascertain whether aloes contain any anthra- quinone derivatives other than aloe-emodin but no such compounds were found.I n addition to aloe-eniodin the following substances were identi- fied in CuraTao aloes salicylic acid ( 1 ) ; a fatty acid m. p. 75-78O; cinnamic and pcoumaric acids. According t o Tschirch and Hoffbauer (A. 1905 i 913) Curagao aloes contains cinnamic acid but no pcoumaric acid. A small amount of glucosidic material is also present which after hydrolysis yielded d-phenylglucosazone ; no pentose could be detected. F. B. The Araliaceze Family with Special Reference to the Glucosides and Oxydases of the Leaves of Polyscias nodosa Forst and Hedera Helix L. A. W. VAN DER HAAR (Pharm. Weekblad 1913 50 1350-1359 1381-1393 1413-1427).-An investigation of the substances present in the leaves of the East Indian Polyscias nodosa Forst and the European Hedera Helix.The leaves of Polyscias ?iodosa were extracted with light petroleum ether 95% alcohol 50% alcohol and finally with water. The light petroleum extracted a vegetable wax (a niyricyl ester) and chlorophyll; the ether chlorophyll and a trace of tannin; the 95% alcohol a trace of saponin and of tannin much chlorophyll but no alkaloids; the 50% alcohol much saponin reducing carbo- hydrates a trace of tannin and of acids but no alkaloids; the water peroxydases and other enzymes. The saponins were extracted with 95% alcohol precipitated by ether dialysed in aqueous solution extracted with methyl alcohol after evaporation and purified by means of magnesium oxide. Two individuals were isolated from the product Polyscias a-saponin C,,H,,O, and Polyscias A-saponin C,,H,20,0 homologous com- pounds belonging to Kobert's series C,LH2n-8010. Intermediate homologues may have been present but were not isolated.The saponins thus obtained are white amorphous products which begin t o decompose a t 200° and carbonise a t 225O. With con- centrated sulpliuric acid they give the usual violet coloration addition of water t'o the mixture precipitating a crystalline sub- stance m. p. 230-234O (uncorr.). On fusion with potassium hydroxide the products were a crystalline subsfairce m. p. 150-152O which gives a faint red coloration with ferric chloride; and acetic formic and butyric acids. Concentrated nitric acid converted the saponins into picric acid and benzoic acid. They can be salted out by means of ammonium sulphate. They yield a hepta-acetyl derivative m.p. 155-160° so that the formulze of the liomologues Inversion of these saponins with dilute mineral acids yields equi- molecular proportions of a sapogenin arabinose and dextrose along with traces of methylpentoses. Po!7/scins sapogeni?z C26H4404 forms rhombic prisms m. p. 324O ru]k* +75*58O in pyridine. It gives the characteristic violet coloration with sulphuric acid and its pro- perties indicate the presence of a lactone ring but the absence are C22H2903(OH)7 and C,,H,,q,(OH),.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. i. 123 of hydroxyl methoxyl and ethoxyl groups and also of double linkings. It exhibits great stability towards oxidisers. Its formula C 0 iuay be written C2,Hta02<b . A t 300°/60 mm. it yields two sublimates one light in colour and the other darker.The second has m. p. 327O. A detailed account of the physiologic_al action of the various products is given. The leaves of Hedera Helix L. contain two kinds of glucosides soluble or insoluble in water. The soluble are denoted by A and the insoluble comprise t'he amorphous or y the crystalline or P and a-hederirb m. p. 256-257O. On inversion the A-glucosides yield an insoluble fission-product. It forms small colourless needles [a]iO +9*6S0 in alcohol. The substance has an acidic character. It dissolves in concentrated sulphuric acid to an orange solution which becomes bright cherry-red and finally colourless as a violet precipitate is deposited. After inversion it reduces Fehling's solution but not before. It is inverted with difficulty the products being an insoluble product and a soluble sugar.It forms a pentn-acetyl derivative m. p. ca. 155O and contains one methoxyl group so that its formula may be written The insoluble product of the inversion of a-hederin by 5% sulphuric acid is a-hederagenin C31H5004 m. p. 325-326O [a] +81*2O in pyridine. I n concentrated sulphuric acid it dis- solves t o a colourless solution which changes through yellow and orange to violet indicating it t o be the reacting substance in the sulphuric acid test for a-hederin. It has one lactone ring forms a diacetyl derivative m. p. l l O o and a dibenzoyl derivative but does not contain a methoxyl group Its formula may be written The formula of a-hederin is possibly C31H5004. C,,H,,O,(OH),(OCH,). fln On distillation with zinc duit in a current of hydrogen a-hederagenin yields water and a greenish-yellow fluorescent oil which contains a sesquit erpene C15H24 which is optically inactive and volatile with steam.The non-volatile residue is a semi-solid yellow flu or escent SZG b s t a n c e. The insoluble inversion product of a-hederin contains arabinose and rhamnose. These sugars are also present along with a-hedera- genin in the inversion produ3t obtained from the mother liquor of the extraction of a-hederin. Existence of Maltam in Cereals. ZENON WrERzcHnwsm (Biorhem. Zeitsch. 191 3 57 125-1 31).-All the Cerwds examined were repeatedly extracted with water until the diastase content was removed and the action of the solid residue on starch and maltose solution was investigated.All kinds were found to contain a maltase especially millet maize and buckwheat. I n all the grains it was not found possible to extract quantitatively the diastase. I n those kinds in which the diastase could be quantitatively A. J. W.i. 124 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. removed it was found that starch was present during the whole fermentative process. The ferment acts therefore like the one already described by the author in maize (A. 1913 i 1255) in directly degrading the starch into dextrose without the inter- mediate stages of dextrin formation. From certain of the grains small quantities of the maltase can be extracted by water. The dry powder has however more powerful enzymatic properties than aqueous extracts. S. B. S. The Digestibility of the Nitrogenous Substances in Cocoa Beans and Pods.5. GOY (Biochem. Zeitsch. 1913 58 137-147).- The digestibility of the proteins of the beans by pepsin varies greatly according to their origin and method of roasting. The percentage of digestible protein varied between 25 and 63. The percentage of digestible proteins of the pod varied between 3.6 and 29. S. B. S. Arsenic and Manganese in Some Sea-water Plants. HENRI B~ARCELET (Chsm. Zentr. 1913 ii 1412-1413; from Bull. Sci. Phnrmaco!. 191 3 20 480-412).-colo~.irnetric estimations of manganese by means of silver nitrate and potassium persulphate show that marine plants contain unevenly distributed quantities of that metal (1.5 t o 36.3 mg. per 100 grams of dry material). The quantity of manganese bears no relation t o the amount of arsenic present.Marine grasses contain more of these elements in the chlorophyll-bearing parts than in the roots. Composition of Oil-seeds of Two Symphonia spp. from Eastern Madagascar. ALEXANDRE H~BERT (Bull. Soc. chim. 19 13 [iv] 13 1039-1042).-The seeds of S. Zaecis yield 35*2% and those of S. Louueli 40*0% of a semi-solid yellow fat having the following constants (where two figures are given the first is for the fat of S. Zctezyis and the second f o r that of S. LouveZi) Dii 0.872 0-879; ni. p. 15-16O; acid number 8.4; saponification number 189 ; Reichert value 1.65 ; Hehner value 94.3 94.1 ; iodine value 66.7 67.6; m. p. of fatty acids 42*5O 43O; saturated fatty acids 40% 35%; unsaturated fatty acids 60% 65%. The saturated fatty acids in both cases appear to consist of a mixture of margaric arachidic lauric and decoic acids.T. A. H. Production of Alcohol by Wheat Germs. S. KOSTYTSCHEV and A. SCHELOUMOV (Bw. deut. bot. Get?. 1913 31 422-431).-No alcohol is produced by living wheat germs when aerated; even in presence of toluene very little alcohol is formed (CO EtOH= 100 3). When aeration is deficient considerable amounts of alcohol may be formed (CO EtOH = 100 50). Further experiments with wheat germs incapable of germination showed that alcohol is produced in considerable amounts even when thoroughly aerated. Nuclear Degeneration Caused by Uranium in Vegetable Cells. C. ACQUA ( A t t i R. Accad. Lincei 1913 [v] 22 ii 390-392). -When plants are grown in solutions containing traces of uranyl J.C. W. N. H. J. M.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. i. 125 nitrate root growth is rapidly arrested owing to the penetration of uranium into the nuclei of the meristem. It can be seen there in the form of a yellow substance probably the yellow oxide. The chromatin of these nuclei is found t o have disappeared so that karyokinetic division is no longer possible. R. V. S. The Influence of Iron in the Development of Barley and the Specificity of its Action. J. WOLFF (Conipt. rend. 1913 157 1022-1024. Compare Ma& Ruot and Lemoigne A. 1912 ii 1088).-Working with aseptic solutions and carefully purified barley seeds free from all moulds and bacteria the author has shown that ferrous sulphate to the extent of 0.4 gram per litre has a very favourable influence on the growth- of the barley plant.I n one case the dry weight ratios of iron-free t o iron-containing media were as 45 160. Neither chromium nor nickel can replace the iron. Njckel even in small amounts checks all development of the plant whilst chromium a t the rate of 0.01 gram in 500 C.C. of culture liquid first caused extraordinary root development and then the plants became chlorotic and died. The Influence of Salts Common in Alkali Soils on the Growth of the Rice Plant. I(. MIYAKE ( J . Biol. Chem. 1913 16 235--264).-Alkali salts may have both toxic and stimulant effects on the growth of rice seedlings according t o their concentrations; the toxic concentrations of magnesium sulphate and chloride calcium chloride and carbonate are greater than N/100 while sodium sulphate and sodium hydrogen carbonate are greater than Nj50.The greatest stimulation was observed with the salts in the following concentrations magnesium sulphate 500 ; magnesium chloride and calcium chloride iV/ 1000 t o N/5000 ; sodium chloride N / 10 t o T / l O O ; sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate N/100 to N/500. Two salts however in toxic concentrations lead t o loss of poisonous effects; this is due to the ions formed on dissociation. Bivalent cations are markedly antagonised by uni- valent cations although the reverse does not hold; the antagonism of anions is less marked. The curve of antagonism between sodium and potassium shows two maxima. The antagonistic action of calcium on other metallic ions is most important; barium and strontium can replace it.W. D. H. Decomposition of Proteins in the Seedlings of Kentucky Tobacco. F. TRAETTA-MOSCA (Gazzetta 1913 43 ii 445-452). -The seedlings of the tobacco plant contain proteolytic ferments and among the products of their action the author has identified lysine histidine arginine glutamine leucine and aspartic acid. Clioline was also found. W. G. R. V. S . Presence of Barium and Arsenic in Italian Manufactured Tobaccos. R. SPALLINO (Gaxzetta 19 13 43 ii 475-481).- These tobaccos all contain barium the quantity varying from 0.019 to 0*036% calculated as sulphate obtainable from the driedi. 126 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. material. A proportion amounting t o 0*003-0*009% is in a state soluble in water. Seven tobaccos examined contained 0*08-1*02 mg.of arsenic per 100 grams of dry material. R. V. S. Humic Acids. 111. Composition of Sphagna and their Power of Absorbing Bases. Influence of Locality and Importance of the Sirlgle Nutrients. EUQEN GULLY ( B L ~ . Zo?slr. 1913 42 652-655 ; from M i t t . K . Buyr. NoorkultuTamt. 1913 Heft. 5).-Numerous analyses of Sphagna of different origin showed that more food is taken up than is required for growth the amounts varying with the different varieties. The composition of the living and the dead portions of Sphagita differ considerably the dead portions containing less potassium phosphoric acid and nitrogen than the living portions; the amount. of calcium remains the same in some varieties. The predominance of Sphagna is caused partly by deficient nutritive matter especially potassium.As a rule the absorptive power for bases is somewhat higher in dead than in living peat mosa. N. H. J. M. Soil Solution and the Mineral Constituents of the Soil. ALFRFD DANIEL HALL W I N I F R E D E L S I E BHENCHLEY,md LILIAN MARIN0 UBDERWOOD (Ph7l. l’mws. 1913 [ B ] 204 179-200) -Water culture experiments are described in which wheat and barley were grown in extracts of soil from differently manured plots of the permanent wheat and barley experimental fields a t Rothamsted ; nitrogen was supplied in the form of sodium nitrate. The results showed that the growth varied with the different extracts and that the yields corresponded with the average yields of the plots themselves. The relative composition of the extracts was found to be similar t o that of the soils as judged either by the total or citric acid soluble plant food they contain.Further experiments in which the soil extracts were compared with artificial nutrient solutions showed that the former gave better results than the latter owing perhaps to the presence of nitrogen compounds of special value in the earlier stages of growth. Notwithstanding the sixty years’ growth of wheat and barley on the respective fields no evidence of any soluble toxin was obtained. The weights of wheat and barley were almost exactly the same whether grown in extracts from wheat or barley soil; and boiling the extracts had no effect. Further experiments are described in which barley was grown in solutions containing dihydrogen potassium phosphate magnesium and calcium sulphates and sodium chloride (each 0.5 gram) potassium nitrate (I gram) and ferric chloride (0.04 gram per litre) and in the same solutions diluted to 1/5 1/10 and 1/20 respectively.From the commencement the growth proceeded in the order of the concentration and the final yield in the strongest solution was about twice that of the next and six times that of the lowest. The results were confirmed by sand culture experi- ments in which the solutions of different strengths were allowed to percolate through the sand.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. i. 127 Finally experiments were made in which water cultures were compared with cultures in coarse sand fine sand silt and kaolin ; and on the effect of aeration in water cultures. I n sand cultures containing 20% of nutritive solution it was found that there was no retardation of growth due t o slow diffusion although with that amount of water the sand could readily be crumbled.The yield was better than in water cultures supplying the same amounts of nutrients. Similar results were obtained when the nutritive solutions were placed in porous cylinders in the sand in which the plants were growing so that the solutions had to pass through the porous cell before reaching the roots. I n all these experiments the results depended on the concentration of the solutions. Comparing coarse and fine sand with salt and kaolin the coarse sand gave much the best results; water cultures next; then kaolin silt and fine sand. Very striking results were obtained in water cultures with barley and lupines. The solutions were (1) not aerated ; (2) aerated daily; and (3) aerated continuously.Cont,inuous aeration nearly doubled the yield as compared with no aeration and the conclusion is drawn that the superiority of sand cultures over ordinary water cultures is due to the better aeration. N. H. J. M. Displacement of the Potash Contained in Certain Felspathic Rocks by Some Substances Used as Fertilisers. a. A N D R ~ (Co~npt. rend 1913 157 856-858).-An exairnindtion of the effect of such salts as sodium nitrate calcium phosphate etc. commonly used as fertflisers on a felspar steadily ground in a mortar with aqueous solutions of these salts for 130 hours. The amounts of potassium oxide thus rendered soluble vary with the salts used.Ammonium sulphate (1% solution) gives the highest figure rendering 7.38% of the total K,O in the felspar soluble. Sodium chloride and sodium nitrate have the same effect rendering 3.25% soluble. Sparingly soluble calcium carbonate and phosphate only have a slight effect while the more soluble superphosphate is much more active. W. G. Contribution to the Study of Clays. A . MUNTZ and H. GAUDECHON (Cowpt. vend. 1913 157 968-974). -A study of the sedimentation of clays. Clay suspensions of definite concentrations were le'ft for the clay to settle over varying periods of time in jars 30 cm. high holding one litre of liquid. The liquid was siphoned off in four equal fractions and the amount of clay left in each and in the deposit determined. The top fraction loses its fine particles most readily having a t the end of six days lost 84% of its total clay in suspension.I f in addition t o the gravitational effect an electrical effect is introduced i t is found that the fine particles which are most stable under the action of gravity are the most rapidly deposited under the influence of the electrical fields produced by the insertion of two electrodes of a circuit. Clays of different origin show different rates of disappearancei. 128 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. of the clay from the top 250 C.C. of liquid and the author suggests that this might form a method of identifying and classifying clays. W. G. Occurrence of Arsenic in Soils. JOSEPH E. GREAVES (Biocliem. hU. 1913 2 519-523).-Some virgin soils coritviu arsetlic frorri the decay of rocks.Many cultivated soils contain a larger quantity but there is no uniform relationship of the total arsenic to that which is soluble in water. The same is true when arsenic is added to the soil. Lead arsenate is regarded as the safest of the arsenical insecticides. W. D. H. Presence of Araenic as a Normal Constituent of Soil. GINO ZUCCBRI (Gaznetta 1913 43 ii 398-403).-Samples of unmanured soil from twenty different localities all contained arsenic the quantities found in 100 grams of soil varying from 0-187 to 6.000 mg. Composition of Rain-water Collected in the Hebrides and in Iceland. NORMAN H. J. MILLER ( J . Scot. Met. Soc. 1913 16 141-158).-Estimations of ammonia nitrates and chlorides in monthly samples of rain-water collected a t the Butt of Lewis lroin December 1908 t o November 1912 and a t Vifilsstadir Iceland from November 1911 to September 1912 (the October sample being lost). Also for several months a t other places in the Hebrides and west coast of Scotland. The average amounts of nitrogen per acre per annum a t the Butt of Lewis (1) and the amounts a t Vifilsstadir (2) calculated from the eleven months are as follows R. V. S. N . per rnillioi~. - N. per acre (lb.). A c - Rain fa1 1. As As A s As Inches. anii n on ia. nitrates. aminon ia. nit rates. Total . 1. 39-70 0.036 0.032 0'311 0.289 0 600 2. 38-34 0.091 0 030 0'808 0 263 1.065 The amounts of ammonia per acre a t the Butt of Lewis are the lowest hitherto recorded and the Iceland results are the next lowest with exception of New Zealand and Madras. The nitrates are also very much lower than the great majority of results pre- viously obtained. Rain-water collected a t Shillay (Mcnach Islands) and at Barra- head contained considerably more ammonia and nitrates than was found a t the Butt of Lewis. The results so far obtained indicate that the total nitrogen a t the two places is about 1.8 and 2'2 lb. respectively per acre per annum or about half the amount found a t Rothamsted. N. H. J. M.