W . B a u e r a n d A . M a r b l e . IV. Hyperpara*- thyroidism. W . B a u e r , A . M a r b l e , a n d D.
C l a e l i n ( J . C lin. I n v e s t., 1932, 1 1 , 1— 19, 21— 35, 37— 45, 47— 62).— I . S m a ll d o se s p r o d u c e d n o const, c h a n g e in C a o r P m e ta b o l is m ; 30 m g. p e r d a y caused a n in c re a se in faecal a n d a d e c re a s e in u r in a r y Ca and P , t h e q u a n titie s b e in g re v e rs e d la te r . T h e Ca and P b a la n c e s a n d th e se ru m -C a , -P , a n d -N w ere only s lig h tly affec ted .
I I . W h e n th e re is a d e fic ien c y of C a in th e serum o r b o n es, e rg o ste ro l th e r a p y p ro d u c e s C a re te n tio n .
I V . T h e b en e ficia l r e s u lts a r e d ir e c tly re la te d to t h e C a in ta k e . O n a h ig h C a in ta k e , w ith ergosterol, th e r e w ere : d e c re a s e d faecal C a, in c re a se d urinary C a, p o s itiv e C a b a la n c e , se ru m -C a , faecal a n d urinary P ; a fa ll i n p o s itiv e P b a la n c e a n d s e r u m - P ; and a r ise in th e p r o d u c t of se ru m -C a a n d -P .
Ch em ical Abstracts.
Photochemistry of ergosterol. E . H . R e e r in k a n d A . v a n W i j k .— See th is v o l., 480.
Hormones and ergosterol intoxication. M.
H a e n d e l a n d J . M a l e t (R e v . asoc. m dd. A rgentina, 1929, 4 2 , 295— 324).— T h e to x ic effects o n ra b b its of la rg e doses of ir r a d ia te d e rg o ste ro l a r e dim inished by c o n c u r re n t a d m in is tr a tio n of in s u lin o r sexual h o r
m o n e , a n d in c re a s e d b y t h a t of a d re n a lin e , th y ro id in , o r h y p o p h y s in . C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s .
Vitamin-D content of red palm oil. W . J .
D a n n (B io ch em . J . , 1932, 2 6 , 1 5 1—1 5 4).— F o u r sa m p le s of r e d p a lm o il sh o w ed v e r y l i t t l e a n tira c h itic
B IO C H E M IS T R Y . 6 5 9
a c tiv ity , 100 m g. d a ily of th e ric h e s t (n a tiv e ) oil b ein g in su fficien t t o p r o te c t r a t s fro m ric k e ts . T h e o il is re c o m m e n d e d a s a so u rc e of v ita m in-A fre e fro m
v ita m in -D . A . C o h e n .
Determination of vitamin-D. K. M. Key a n d B. G. E . M o r g a n (B io ch em . J . , 1932, 2 6 , 196— 207).
— T h e c u r a tiv e effect o n r a t s of g r a d e d d o se s of v ita m in - ! ) h a s b e e n d e te r m in e d b y re fe re n c e to D y e r ’s scale o f h e a lin g (cf. th is v o l., 97). C u rv es re la tin g d eg ree of h e a lin g t o d o sa g e a r e sim ila r to th o s e of D y e r, g iv e s im ila r r e s u lts f o r t h e v ita m in - D v a l. of u n k n o w n s u b s ta n c e s , a n d a g re e w ith r e s u lts of p ro p h y la c tic te s ts in w h ic h a s h c o n te n t of fa t-fre e bone is d e te rm in e d . A c h a n g e in t h e C a : P r a ti o in S te e n b o c k ’s ra c liito g e n ic d ie t fro m 4 : 1 to 2 : 1 is eq u iv . to t h e a n tir a c h itic effect o f a d a ily d o se of 0-7 u n i t of v ita m in - D . A . C o h e n .
Determination of vitamin-D. I. Relation
ship between graded doses of a standard solution of vitamin-D, administered to young rats on a rachitogenic diet, and the ash content of their bones. E. M. Hu m e, M. Pi c k e r s g i l l, a n d M. M.
G a f f i k in (B io ch em . J . , 1932, 2 6 , 488— 505).— W ith g ro u p s o f a n im a ls of t h e sa m e l i t t e r c o m p o sitio n on d iffe re n t d o se s w ith 10— 20 a n im a ls p e r dose, s m o o th c u rv e s a r e o b ta in e d . W h e n t h e v a ls . fo r th e p e r c e n t
ag e a s h a r e p l o tt e d a g a in s t t h e lo g a rith m s of th e doses (w ith t h e e x c e p tio n of t h e lo w e s t a n d t h e h ig h e st) a lin e a r r e la tio n s h ip b e tw e e n t h e tw o v a ria b le s is re v e a le d . F o r a s s a y in g p u rp o s e s tw o g ro u p s o f 8— 10 y o u n g r a t s re c e iv e s u ita b le d o se s of ir r a d ia te d ergo- ste ro l, w h ils t tw o o th e r g ro u p s of a n im a ls sim ila rly c o n s titu te d a s re g a rd s l i t t e r a n d sex re c e iv e tw o doses of t h e u n k n o w n su b s ta n c e . T h e a v e ra g e r e s u lt of th e g ro u p s re c e iv in g t h e u n k n o w n d o se is th e n r e a d fro m c u rv e s w h ic h h a v e b e e n c o n s tr u c te d t o c o rre la te doses of a s ta n d a r d so lu tio n of ir r a d ia te d e rg o ste ro l a d m in iste re d p r o p h y la c tic a lly w ith t h e p e rc e n ta g e of ash in t h e b o n e s o f y o u n g r a t s o n a ra c h ito g e n ic d ie t.
I f th e r e s u ltin g v a ls . fo r t h e d o se s of t h e s ta n d a r d d o n o t fa ll d ir e c tly o n o n e of t h e c u rv e s, t h e e x p e rim e n t is r e p e a te d . I f t h e y d o n o t f a ll on a n y of t h e c u rv e s, a g r a p h i n w h ic h t h e a s h v a ls. a re p l o tt e d a g a in s t lo g a rith m s o f th e doses is e m p lo y e d , sin ce th e s e g ra p h s a r e s tr a i g h t lin e s, a n d a k n o w le d g e of tw o p o in ts is su fficie n t to c o n s tr u c t t h e w h o le g ra p h .
S. S. Z lL V A .
Determination of vitamin-D. II. Compari
son of radiography and bone analysis in the estimation of vitamin-D. III. Stability of pre
parations of vitamin-D. R . B . B o u e d i l l o n , H . M. B r u c e , a n d T . A . W e b s t e r (B io ch em . J . , 1932, 2 6 , 506— 521, 522— 530).— I I . A ra d io g ra p h ic scale is d esc rib e d sh o w in g v a rio u s d eg re es of d e v e lo p m e n t of r ic k e ts fo r u se i n d e te r m in a tio n of v ita m in - D b y m e a su re m e n t of i t s p r o p h y la c tic effec t. T h e e rro r in th e d e te r m in a tio n of t h e r e s u lt a n t effect is c o n sid e ra b ly g r e a te r w ith t h e ra d io g ra p h ic sc ale th a n w ith bone a n a ly sis. T h e ch ief v a r ia tio n s i n t h e s e n s itiv ity of a sto c k of r a t s f e d o n a su p p o s e d ly c o n s t, d ie t a re p ro b a b ly d u e t o so m e f a c to r o th e r t h a n v ita m in - D . T he p ro p h y la c tic r a d io g r a p h ic sc ale is less s a tis fa c to ry th a n t h e c u r a tiv e scale.
I I I . V ita m in - D in so lu tio n in o liv e oil m a y d e
t e r i o r a te se rio u sly if k e p t a t ro o m te m p , fo r p e rio d s of a y e a r o r m o re. D e te r io ra tio n a t 0° h a s n o t b e e n d e te c te d in th e tim e a v a ila b le . E x tr a p o la tio n fro m r e s u lts a t h ig h e r te m p , su g g e sts t h a t p re p s , a t 0°
m a y lose h a lf th e n ’ a c tiv i ty in a b o u t 3 y e a rs , b u t th e r e is som e re a so n t o t h in k t h a t th e so lid ific a tio n of th e o il h a s a p r e s e rv a tiv e effect a n d t h a t t h e s ta b ili ty a t 0° m a y b e g re a te r t h a n t h e e x p e rim e n ts su g g e st.
T h e a d d itio n of v a rio u s co m m o n s u b s ta n c e s lik e ly t o b e p r e s e n t a s im p u ritie s h a s n o v e ry g r e a t effect w ith t h e e x c e p tio n o f S w h ic h ca u ses d e te rio ra tio n .
S. S. Z f lv a .
Apparatus for determination of carbon dioxide and oxygen of respiration [of fruit]. M . H . H a l l e r a n d D . H . R o s e (Science, 1932, 7 5 , 439—
440). L . S. T h e o b a ld .
Biological effect of associated water mole
cules. H . T. B a r n e s a n d T . C. B a r n e s ( N a tu r e , 1 9 3 2 ,1 2 9 , 691).— H 20 f ro m r e c e n tly c o n d e n se d s te a m , c o n ta in in g less tr ih y d r o l, ca u se s f ila m e n ts of Spirogyra
to a s su m e a co lo u rless m a ss o c c u p y in g less v o l. t h a n t h e fila m e n ts in tr ih y d r o l H , 0 w h ic h m a in ta in s th e r ig id ity a n d tu r g o r of th e cells. L . S. T h e o b a ld .
Biological degradation of chlorophyll. I I .
Phyllobombycin and probophorbide. H . F i s c h e r a n d A . H e n d s c h e l (Z. p h y sio l. C hem ., 1932, 2 0 6 , 255— 2 7 8 ; cf. A ., 1931, 966).— H y d ro ly s is of p h y llo b o m b y c in w ith K O H in M eO H o r P r O H g iv e s a m ix tu re of u n c r y s ta llis a b le c h lo rin s, in c lu d in g c h lo rin e. T r e a t m e n t w ith H B r in A c O H a t 170°
o r w ith H C 0 2H a t 140° gives sm a ll a m o u n ts of de- o x y p h y llo e r y th rin a n d r h o d o p o rp h y r in e s te r. W ith H B r - A c O H a t 50° p h y llo e r y th rin w a s p ro d u c e d a n d id e n tifie d sp e c tro sc o p ic a lly . R e d u c tio n w ith H I a f te r tr e a t m e n t w ith 0 2 le d t o th e is o la tio n of phaeo- p o r p h y r in a 5 e s te r. P h y llo b o m b y c in , t r e a t e d w ith d ia z o m e th a n o w ith o u t c ry s ta llis a tio n , g a v e t h e c ry s t.
Me3 e s te r (I), m . p . 264° (Fe, Zn, a n d Gu sa lts), id e n tic a l w ith p h a s o p u rp u rin 18 M e3 e s te r. R e d u c tio n of (I) w ith H I in A c O H g a v e a n e s te r, m . p . 224°, s p e c tro sc o p ic a lly re se m b lin g e h lo ro p o rp h y rin ei
e s te r. H B r a n d A cO H a t 170° p r o d u c e d fsophaeo- p o r p h y rin ct4. A t 50°, tr a c e s of p h y llo e r y th rin to g e th e r w ith e h lo ro p o rp h y rin e6 w ere o b ta in e d . W h e n t r e a te d w ith p y rid in e a n d N a 2C 0 3, (I) g a v e p s e u d o v e rd o p o rp h y rin . P h y llo b o m b y c in m u s t c o n ta i n a n u c le u s w ith a p ro p io n ic a c id , a n u c le a r C 0 2H , a n d a n OA c r a d ic a l (th e tw o l a s t fro m t h e re d u c tiv e h y d r o ly tic fission of th e isocyclic rin g of c h lo ro p h y ll).
P h y llo e r y th r in w as o b ta in e d fro m sh e e p fceces.
C o p ro p o rp h y rin w as also d e te c te d a n d fo u r probo- phorbides w ere iso la te d a s t h e e s te rs : a ( J l e e s te r, m . p . 2 2 6 °; oxime; Fe s a l t ) ; b (Me e s te r, m . p . 207°) ; c (Me e s te r, m . p . 2 3 3 °); d (Me e s te r, m . p . 230°).
T h e se p ro b o p h o rb id e s a re d iv id e d s p e c tro sc o p ic a lly in to tw o g ro u p s : (i) a, c, d a n d (ii) b. T h e a n a ly s is of b g iv e s th e c o n s titu tio n C3GH 40O 6N 4 ; w ith H I b
y ie ld s e h lo ro p o rp h y rin e6 a n d tr a c e s of p h y llo e r y th rin . I t is clo sely r e la te d t o p h y llo b o m b y c in . P ro b o p h o r b id e a rese m b le s p h y llo e r y th rin a n d is c o n v e rte d in to th e l a t t e r b y H I in A cO H . P ro b o p h o rb id e s c a n d d
c o n ta in m o re H a n d OM e t h a n a b u t a r e e a sily c o n v e r te d in to p h y llo e r y th rin .
W in te r faeces of r a b b it s c o n ta in e d p h y llo e r y th rin
6 6 0 B R IT IS H C H E M IC A L A B S T R A C T S .— A .
a n d a c h lo rin , is o la te d a s th e Me e s te r (d ia z o m e th a n e ), m . p . 221°. T h e c ru d e E t 20 e x t r a c t a f te r 3 m in . w ith H I in A c O H a t 65° g a v e rh o d o p o rp h y rin . T r e a t m e n t of p h æ o p h y tin w ith H I in A c O H fo r 2 m in . g a v e p h æ o p o r p h y r in a5, w h ic h w h e n h e a te d fo r 24 h r.
w ith H B r in A c O H a t 50— 55° g a v e p h y llo e r y th rin . J . H . B ir k in s h a w .
Formation of chlorophyll in roots exposed to light, especially in the roots of barley. R . J . G a u t h e r e t (C o m p t. r e n d ., 1932, 1 9 4 , 1510— 1513).—
T h e ro o ts of b a r le y m a y d e v e lo p a g re e n c o lo u r d u e to c h lo ro p h y ll w h e n p la c e d in lig h t, th e m o s t m a rk e d r e s u lts b e in g o b ta in e d w ith is o la te d r o o ts d e ta c h e d fro m th e p la n t. G lucose o r fru c to s e a d d e d to th e m e d iu m h a s a fa v o u ra b le effect.
W . 0 . Kerm ack.
Absorption and migration of nitrogen in the leaves of Salix fraç/ilis, L. N . T . D e l e a n o a n d M. A n d r e s c o (B u i. Soc. S tiin te C lu j, 1931, 6 , 209—
2 2 0 ; C hem . Z e n tr., 1932, i, 537).— T h re e s ta g e s in t h e life cyclo a r e : g ro w th (2 5 % ), a s s im ila tio n p e rio d (5 0 % ), N -m ig ra tio n (2 5 % ). I n th e l a s t p e r io d th e N is p r e s e n t ch iefly a s N H 3 a n d N H 2-a c id s ; th e q u a n t ity of a lb u m in - N fa lls. A . A . Ë l d r i d g e .
Stimulation of growth and metabolism in wheat tissue. A . R a d o ë f e (C o m p t. r e n d ., 1932, 1 9 4 , 1527— 1529).— T h e s tim u la tio n of th e g ro w th of w h e a t e m b ry o s w h ic h is p r o d u c e d b y M g a n d M n a n d t o o n ly a v e r y s lig h t e x t e n t b y Z n , F e , a n d Cu, is n o t a c c o m p a n ie d b y a n y sig n ific a n t in c re a s e in th e m e ta b o lic r a t e m e a s u re d b y th e 0 2 a n d C 0 2 e x c h a n g e .
W . 0 . Kerm ack.
Wax metabolism i n t h e leaves of Brussels sprout. P . N . S a h a i a n d A . C. C h i b n a l l (B io c h em . J . , 1931, 2 6 , 403—4 1 2 ).— T h e follo w in g c o n s titu e n ts w ere id e n tifie d in th e le a f-w a x : w -n o n aco san e, 15-n o 15-n a c o s a 15-n o 15-n e , 1 5 -15-n o 15-n ae o sa15-n o l, c e ry l alco h o l, c e ro tic a c id , a n d p r o b a b ly n - lie n tria c o n ta n e . O lefines w ere a b s e n t. T h e se ed s c o n ta in n o w a x , b u t s y n th e s is ta k e s p la c e r a p id ly in a ll p a r t s of t h e e m b ry o a n d p ro c e e d s c o n tin u o u s ly in th e le a f th r o u g h o u t t h e life- h is to ry of t h e p la n t. T h e c o m p o sitio n o f t h e w a x d o es n o t a l te r th r o u g h o u t th is p e rio d a n d th e r e is n o e v id e n c e t h a t th e p a ra ffin is fo rm e d b y r e d u c tio n of t h e k e to n e . A ll th e c o m p o n e n ts of th e w a x a re p r o b a b ly e n d - p r o d u c ts o f m e ta b o lism .
S . S. Z ilv a .
Synthesis and metabolism in cultivated plants.
S. O d é n a n d K . S j ô b e r g (M edd. C e n tr. F ô rs o k s v a s . J o r d b r u k ., 1931, N o . 386, 3— 56 ; C hem . Z e n tr., 1931, ii, 3109).—T h e in c re a se in N a n d m in e ra l c o n s titu e n ts is m o s t m a r k e d d u r in g th e f irs t h a lf of th e v e g e t a t i v e p e rio d . T h e c a r b o h y d r a te c o n t e n t u n d e rg o e s la rg e v a r ia tio n s . A . A . E l d r i d g e .
Utilisation of excess mineral matter in the leaf in relation to growth of the plant. H . L e g a t u a n d L . M aum e (C o m p t. re n d ., 1932, 1 9 4 , 933— 935).
—A n in c re a se d K c o n te n t of th e le a v e s o f th e p o ta to is n o c r ite r io n o f th e w t. of fre s h tu b e r s o b ta in e d .
P . G. M a r s h a l l .
Rôle of plastids and of the cytoplasm in amyl- ogenic condensation. A . M a ig e (C o m p t. r e n d ., 1932, 1 9 4 , 1376— 1378).— A d isc u ssio n of th e fo r m a tio n of s ta r c h in p la n t cells. T h e p la s tid s a r e p ro b
-a b ly c o n c e rn e d w ith t h e c o n v e rsio n of th e p ro e n z y m e in to t h e a c tiv e a m y lo g e n e se w h ic h effects c o n
d e n s a tio n . W . 0 . K e r m a c k .
Absorption of salts by plant tissues. G. E . B r ig g s (A m i. B o t., 1932, 4 6 , 301— 322).— R e c e n t w o rk is d isc u sse d a n d ev id e n c e a d v a n c e d to sh o w th a t th e m e c h a n ism of s a l t in ta k e b y p la n ts f ro m dil.
so lu tio n s is b y a n e x c h a n g e of a n io n s b e tw e e n so lu tio n a n d e e ll-sa p a n d of c a tio n s b e tw e e n s o lu tio n a n d c y to p la s m . F r o m m o re cone, s o lu tio n s of single sa lts b o th a n io n s a n d c a tio n s p a s s in to th e sa p . I n v ery d il. s o lu tio n s le a c h in g o f io n s fro m c y to p la s m a n d sap
is sig n ific a n t. A . G. P o l l a r d .
Plant nutrition. III. Effect of potash de
ficiency on the rate and respiration in leaves of barley. F . J . R i c h a r d s (A n n . B o t., 1932, 4 6 , 367—
388).— D ifferences in th e r a ti o o f d r y w t. t o le a f area in b a r le y p la n ts g ro w n w ith v a r y in g p ro p o rtio n s of K a re a lm o s t e n tir e ly a t t r i b u t a b l e to d ifferen ces in H 20 c o n te n t. L e a f-to -le a f v a ria tio n s in t h e sa m e p la n t r e s u lt fro m d ifferen ces in a n a to m ic a l s tr u c t u r e . W ith d e c re a sin g p ro p o rtio n s o f K in t h e n u tr ie n t, re sp ir
a tio n r a te s in c re a se u p t o a m a x ., s u b s e q u e n tly falling w ith f u r th e r d ilu tio n of t h e n u tr ie n t. T h e se facts a r e d isc u sse d in r e la tio n t o th e c a r b o h y d ra te a n d N H 2- a c id c o n te n t of th e le av e s. T h e K c o n te n t of leaves v a rie s w ith t h a t o f t h e n u tr ie n t, b u t th e r e la tio n s h ip is n o t lin e a r. F ro m le a v e s ric h in K le a c h in g of the e le m e n t b y r a in is p r o b a b le , b u t n o le a c h in g occurs f ro m K -d e fic ie n t p la n ts . A . G. P o l l a r d .
Reserve polysaccharide of the seeds of fenu
greek. Digestibility and fate during germin
ation. K . M . D a o u d (B io c h em . J . , 1932, 2 6 , 255—
263).— A cid h y d ro ly sis of t h e p o ly s a c c h a rid e yields e q u iv . a m o u n ts of m a m io se a n d g a la c to s e . T h e poly
s a c c h a rid e , w h ic h is a s a l t of a silic o p h o sp h o ric ester of m a n n o g a la c ta n , is n o t h y d r o ly s e d b y sa liv a or p a n c r e a tic e x t r a c t, a n d d o es n o t a lte r th e blood-sugar a f t e r in g e stio n . D u rin g g e r m in a tio n o f t h e seeds the m a n n o se a n d g a la c to s e a r e c o n v e rte d in to glucose,
fru c to s e , a n d su c ro se . A . C ohen.
Determination of glutamine in presence of asparagine. A . C. C h i b n a l l a n d R . G . W e s t a l l (B io ch em . J . , 1932, 2 6 , 122— 132).— I n th e reaction w ith H N O , in t h e V a n S ly k e d e te r m in a tio n 92% of t h e t o t a l N of g lu ta m in e a p p e a rs a s N H 2-N. After h e a tin g g lu ta m in e 3 h r . a t 100° a t p H 8, th e am ide-N a n d N H 2-N a re 35 -5 % a n d 8 -5 % o f th e to ta l N, respectively". A s p a ra g in e is s ta b le a n d g iv es normal v a ls. T h e r e s u lts a re e m p lo y e d t o d e te rm in e the g lu ta m in e a n d a s p a ra g in e c o n te n ts o f m ix tu re s of th e s e s u b s ta n c e s a n d of p la n t e x tr a c ts , se v e ra l cases of
w h ic h a re q u o te d . A . C ohen.
Relations between the physiological and geo
logical characters of a forest of C'ryptonieria japónicaand soil conditions. K . M o r ik a w a (Bull.
Coll. A g rie. K y u s h u F u k u o k a , 1931, 4 , N o . 4 ; _ P roc.
I n t e r n a t . Soc. S oil Sei., 1932, 7 , 31).— T ra n sp ira tio n r a te s a n d th e H 20 a n d a s h c o n te n ts of le a v e s v a rie d in p a r a lle l w ith g ro w th r a te s . A . G. P o l l a r d .
Fat, lecithin, and protein of the soya bean.
I I . K ü h l ( P h a rm . Z e n tr ., 1932, 7 3 , 2 4 3— 248).—A rev ie w .
B IO C H E M IS T R Y . 6 6 1
Separation of growth-promoting substances.
N . N i e l s e n a n d V . H a b t e l h i s (C o m p t. re n d . L a b . C arlsb erg , 1932, 1 9 , N o . 8, 17 p p . ; cf. A ., 1931, 1091, 1334).— R h iz o p u s s u in u sf o rm s tw o g r o w th -p ro m o tin g s u b s ta n c e s w h e n g ro w n in a N H 4 ta r t r a te - g lu c o s e m e d iu m . O ne, s u b s ta n c e A ,is sol. in E t 20 , is readily- d e s tro y e d o n o x id a tio n b y H 20 2, a n d p r o m o te s th e g ro w th of A v e n a co leo p tiles a s sh o w n b y t h e b e n d in g re a c tio n . T h e o th e r, s u b s ta n c e B , is in so l. in E t 20 , is n o t o x id is e d b y H 20 2, a n d p r o m o te s th e g r o w t h of A s p e r g illu s n ig er. B o th s u b s ta n c e s a re s ta b le t o h e a t.
E . 0 . H o w i t t .
Chemistry of the plant growth-promoting substance. F . K o g l a n d R . J . H a a g e n - S m it (P ro c.
K . A k a d . W e te n s c h . A m s te rd a m , 1931, 3 4 , 1411—
1416).— A u n i t is d e fin e d a s t h e le a s t q u a n t i t y of a c tiv e s u b s ta n c e w h ich , u n d e r s t a n d a r d c o n d itio n s, w ill ca u se a b e n d in g of 10° in t h e d e c a p ita te co le o p tile of A v c n a s a tiv a w ith in 2 h r . T h e a c tiv ity of p r o d u c ts fro m v a rio u s so u rce s is g iv e n . T h e a c tiv e p rin c ip le is o b ta in e d a s a b y - p ro d u c t in th e p r e p , o f ce strin fro m p r e g n a n c y u rin e . A N a H C 0 3 e x t r a c t of t h e u r in e is acidified a n d e x t r a c te d w ith E t 20 . I n a c tiv e im p u r ity is re m o v e d b y b o ilin g lig h t p e tro le u m , th e insol. re s id u e h a v in g a n a c tiv i ty o f 130,000 u n its p e r m g. I t is d iss o lv e d in a q . E tO H a n d t h e s o lu tio n e x tr a c te d w ith C cH c, t h e h o rm o n e re m a in in g in t h e fo rm e r. F u r t h e r p u rific a tio n v ia t h e P b s a lt y ie ld s a p r o d u c t o f 10 G u n its p e r m g . T h e a c tiv e p r in c ip le a f te r d is tilla tio n a t 125— 1 3 0 °/0 -l m m . h a s a n a c tiv i ty of 5 x l 0 6 u n its p e r m g. T w o c r y s ta llis a tio n s f ro m a q . C 0 M e2 y ie ld a p r o d u c t, m . p . 172° (u n c o rr.) (C 68-62, H 10-18% ), w ith a n a c tiv i ty of 3 0 x 1 0 ® u n its p e r m g . T h e n a m e a u x in is su g g e ste d . T h e e lin (P a rk e D a v is , 50 R .U . p e r c.c.) is in a c tiv e as re g a rd s g ro w th effect in c o n t r a s t t o so m e p re p s , of
p ro g y n o n . P . G. M a r s h a l l .
Flow of sap in plants. B . H u b e r (B er. d eu t.
b o t. G es., 1932, 5 0 , 89— 109).— T h e r a t e of flow of s a p is d e te r m in e d b y t h e r a t e of tra n s m is s io n of h e a t fro m a lo c a lly w a rm e d s te m a r e a t o a th e rm o c o u p le . R a d io a c tiv e s u b s ta n c e s {e.g., T h -B ) a re su c ce ssfu l in d ic a to rs of s a p flow . A . G. P o l l a r d .
Relations between the growth of various parts of the melon seedling and the quantity of reserves left for the embryo. P . C h o u a r d a n d G. T e i s s i e r (C om pt. r e n d ., 1932, 1 9 4 , 1513— 1515).— R e m o v a l of p a r t of t h e fo o d r e s e rv e s fro m t h e se ed s of C u cu m is melor e s u lts in a g e n e ra l d e c re a s e in size of t h e r e s u lt
ing e m b ry o , b u t t h e r e la tiv e size of th e p a r t s is n o t sig n ific an tly a lte r e d . W . O. K e r m a c k .
Stomatal movement and hydrogen-ion con
centration. E . P . Sm i t h a n d M . S . Jo l l y ( N a tu r e , 1932, 1 2 9 , 544).—T h e p Hv a ls. a t w h ic h th e s to m a ta of th e g u a rd -c e lls o f T u lip a , S c illa , I r i s , a n d T ra d es- cantia a r e o p e n in s o lu tio n s of C 0 2, a n d in B .D .H .
“ u n iv e rsa l b u ffe r m ix t u r e ,” a r e re c o rd e d .
L . S. T h e o b a ld .
Radioactivity and the germination of bulbs.
D. M o n t e t (C o m p t. r e n d ., 1932, 1 9 4 , 1093— 1095).—
W ith th e h y a c in th a n d t u l i p a m o re f u lly d e v e lo p e d foliage is o b ta in e d u n d e r t h e in flu e n ce of r a d io a c tiv ity , w h e th e r s u p p lie d in t h e fo rm of R a e m a n a tio n
o r U 20 6. T h e o p tim u m q u a n t i t y of th e l a t t e r fo r in c re a s e d g ro w th of t h e tu li p is 0-5 g. p e r 1500 g.
o f soil. P . G . M a r s h a l l .
Action of Italian radioactive soils on germin
ation of seeds and on growth of plants. G.
M e z z a d r o li a n d E . V a r e t o n ( A tti R . A cc a d . L in c e i, 1931, [v i], 1 4 , 443— 447).— W i th p la n ts g ro w n in K n o p p ’s n u tr ie n t so lu tio n , a d d itio n o f fin e ly g ro u n d r a d io a c tiv e soil sho w in g 4-2 x l O -9 g. o f R a p e r g.
c a u se s m a rk e d in c re a se s in t h e r o o t a n d p l a n t g ro w th . I n field e x p e rim e n ts , th e u se of t h e so il a s fe r tilis e r r e s u lts in g re e n e r a n d s tro n g e r p la n ts a n d in in c re a se of th e c ro p b y a t le a s t 2 0 % . T . H . P o f e .
Direct versus indirect effects on potato- amylase by chemicals which induce sprouting of dormant tubers. F . E . D e n n y (C o n tr. B o y c e T h o m p s o n I n s t . , 1932, 4 , 53— 63).— T h e effect of c e r ta in c h e m ic a ls {e.g.,e th y le n e c h lo ro h y d rin , N aC N S , a n d K C N S ) o n t h e a m y la s e a c tiv i ty of e x p re sse d p o t a t o ju ic e (d ire c t effect) w a s n o t r e la te d to t h e ir a c tio n in s tim u la tin g t h e s p r o u tin g of th e tu b e r s , n o r t o c h a n g e s in a m y la s e a c tiv i ty p ro d u c e d s u b s e q u e n t t o tr e a t m e n t of th e w h o le tis s u e w ith th e s e s u b s ta n c e s (in d ir e c t effect). S p ro u tin g re sp o n se w as m o re n e a r ly r e la te d to th e in d ir e c t a m y la s e effect.
K N 0 3 a n d K O I w ere n o t m a rk e d ly a c tiv e in in d u c in g s p r o u tin g a n d h a d l i t t l e effec t o n a m y la s e a c tiv ity . T h e s p r o u tin g re sp o n se t o c h e m ic a l tr e a t m e n t is in d ir e c t a n d is n o t d e p e n d e n t o n th e d e v e lo p m e n t of h ig h a m y la s e a c tiv i ty in tr e a te d tu b e rs .
A . G. P o l l a r d .
Development and ripening of peaches as correlated with physical characteristics, chemi
cal composition, and histological structure of the fruit flesh. I. Physical measurements of growth and flesh texture in relation to the market and edible qualities of the fruit. M . A . B l a k e , O. W . D a v id s o n , R . M. A d d om s, a n d G. T . N i g h t i n g a l e (N ew J e r s e y A g ric. E x p . S ta . B u ll., 1931, N o . 525, 35 p p . ; cf. A ., 1931, 273).— T h e in c re a se d v e g e ta tiv e a c tiv i ty a n d p r o d u c tio n o f te n d e r g ro w th re s u ltin g f ro m h ig h N fe e d in g o ccu rs in d e p e n d e n tly of t h e n a t u r e of t h e N so u rce . R e p e a te d t r e a tm e n t w ith N fe rtilis e rs o r c e r ta in s y s te m s of c u ltu r a l o p e ra tio n s p ro d u c e a h ig h N -lo w c a r b o h y d ra te ty p e of tre e . T r e a tm e n ts of a n o p p o site c h a ra c te r p ro d u c e a low N - h i g h c a r b o h y d ra te ty p e . A . G. P o l l a r d .
Origin o f the uronic acids in the humus o f soil, peat, and composts. S. A . W a k sm a n a n d H . W . R e u s z e r (Soil S ci., 1932, 3 3 , 135— 151).— D u rin g th e b io lo g ic a l d ec o m p , of p la n t re sid u e s, tr u e p e n to s a n s a re a tta c k e d m o re re a d ily t h a n u ro n ic a c id co m p lex e s.
I n d iffe re n t p la n t m a te ria ls th e r e la tiv e p r o p o rtio n s of v a rio u s h em ice llu lo ses a n d t h e r e la tiv e e a se of d ec o m p , v a rie s c o n s id e ra b ly . M a n u rin g of so il c a u se s a n in c re a se in p e n to s a n c o n te n t. P ro lo n g e d c u l tiv a t io n w ith o u t t h e a d d itio n of org. m a t t e r r e s u lts i n a d e c re a s e d h u m u s c o n te n t a n d a r e la tiv e in c re a s e i n u ro n ic a c id s. A . G. P o l l a r d .
Apparatus for continuous extraction of plant materials with ether under tropical conditions.
W . J . B l a c k i e (J.S .C .I., 1932, 5 1 , 129— 1 3 0 t).— T h e a p p a r a tu s is d esig n e d t o e x t r a c t 100 g. of m a te r ia l.
662 B R IT IS H C H E M IC A L A B S T R A C T S .— A .
V a p o u r a n d s ip h o n tu b e s a r e c a rrie d b y a g la ss c o n n e c tin g p ie c e w h ic h is a t ta c h e d a t e a c h e n d b y lo n g g ro u n d -g la ss jo in ts t o b o ilin g fla sk (1500 c.c.) a n d e x t r a c t o r ( 7 x 3 0 cm .). T h e l a t t e r is c o n n e c te d b y a g ro u n d -g la s s j o in t w ith H g s e a l t o a w o rm c o n d e n se r.
C. W . D a v ie s .
Lignin-like complexes in fungi. C. T h om a n d M. P h i l l i p s (J . W a sh . A ca d . S c i, 1932, 2 2 , 237—
239).— B ro w n -w a lle d m o u ld s su c h a s Cladosporium
a n d Alternaria c o n ta in 17— 2 9 % of lig n in -lik e s u b s ta n c e s , a n d b ro w n -w a lle d b r a c k e t fu n g i su c h a s
Trametes pini a n d Fomes igniarius la rg e r p ro p o rtio n s . L ig h t-c o lo u re d b r a c k e t fu n g i c o n ta in v e r y little .
C. W . G ib b y.
Composition of the cell membrane of the alder ( A l n u s q l u t i n o s a ) . K . N e v r o s ( P r a k ti k a , 1931, 6, 2 7 0 - 2 7 - 1 ; C hem . Z e n tr., 1932, i, 536).—
S c h m id t’s im p r o v e d C102 m e th o d w a s e m p lo y e d in th e d e te r m in a tio n o f t h e c e llu lo s e : x y la n r a tio . 0-01— 0 -2 % N a O H re m o v e d th e c a r b o x y l s u b s ta n c e s c o n s is tin g of 2 a c id s a n d x y l a n ; w ith > 0 - 2 % th e p e n to s a n b e g in s t o d isso lv e, a n d w ith 9 % m a x . s o lu b ility o cc u rs, w ith d is s o lu tio n o f cellu lo se c o n s t i tu e n t s . A t t a c k b y 5— 7 % N a O H o n th e cellulose is d im in is h e d b y a d d itio n o f 3 % N a C l w ith o u t d im in u tio n of t h e s o lu b ility of t h e sk e le ta l su b s ta n c e . T h e a c id -fre e s u b s ta n c e re m a in in g a f te r t r e a t m e n t o f th e l a t t e r w ith O-OSN-NaOH c o n ta in s 3C6H 10O 5 : 1C5H 80 4.
H e n c e t h e ce llu lo se a n d t h e H ,0 - s o l. x y la n a re c h e m ic a lly c o m b in e d . A . A . E ld r id c .e .
Juice of the Maguey plant (Manso f i n o ) . I.
H . D . J o n e s (J . A m e r. P h a r m . A ssoc., 1932, 2 1 , 35 4 — 356).— T h e c o m p o sitio n , p r o p e r tie s , a n d re a c tio n s of
“ a g u a m ie l,” th e fre s h ju ic e of Agave atrovirens, K a rw , a n d o f t h e s y r u p a r e g iv e n . E . H . S h a r p le s .
New vegetable constituent: uric acid. R.
F o s s e , P . d e G r a e v e , a n d P . E . T h om as (C o m p t. r e n d ., 1932, 1 9 4 , 1408— 1413).— U ric a c id e x is ts in m a n y p la n ts a n d e sp e c ia lly in g ra in s , a n d h a s b e e n is o la te d in a p u r e fo rm f ro m t h e se ed s of Melilotus officinalis.
W . 0 . Iv e rm a ck .
Non-alkaloidal fraction of ergot. H . L a n g - ECKER (A rch. e x p . P a th . P h a r m ., 1932, 1 6 5 , 29 9 — 3 2 4 ).— T h e s e p a r a tio n of t h e a lk a lo id s fro m th e a m in e s i n e x t r a c ts of e r g o t a n d t h e s ta n d a r d is a tio n of t h e l a t t e r b y c o m p a ris o n w ith h is ta m in e in th e ir a c tio n o n t h e s m a ll in te s tin e a n d u te r u s of t h e g u in e a -p ig w e re in v e s tig a te d . T h e “ in te s tin e v a l .” is less t h a n t h e “ u te r u s v a l .,” b u t w ith in c re a sin g p u r i t y th e v a ls.
t e n d to ag re e, in d ic a tin g t h a t t h e in te s tin e m e th o d is sp . fo r t h e a m in e f ra c tio n . I n e r g o t p re p s , th e a v e ra g e a m in e c o n te n t is lo w er t h a n th e a lk a lo id c o n te n t, b u t t h e fo rm e r e x h ib its a g r e a te r s ta b ility . E rg o ta m in e (1 : 40,000) su p p re s s e s t h e to n u s a c tio n o f h is ta m in e in t h e s u rv iv in g g u in e a -p ig in te s tin e . C 0 2, H ,S , o r in c re a se d a c id ity g r e a tly d im in ish e s th is a c tio n to a n e x t e n t w h ic h is n o t in flu e n c e d b y th e ag e o f th e e x t r a c t. B a c te r ia l in f e c tio n of t h e e x t r a c ts o c c a s io n a lly le a d s t o in c re a s e d a c tio n o n th e in te s tin e a n d u te r u s . T h u s fo llo w in g b a c te ria l f e r m e n ta tio n a m a te r ia l c a n b e s e p a r a te d w h ic h clo sely rese m b le s, b u t is n o t id e n tic a l w ith , h is ta m in e , a lth o u g h tr a c e s of th e l a t t e r a r e p r e s e n t. F . O. H o w i t t .
Glucoside fractions of Digitalis leaves. M.
G u g g e n h e im , K . F r o m h e r z , a n d W . K a r r e r (Arch, e x p . P a t h . P h a r m ., 1932, 1 6 5 , 41 2 — 415).— T h e w o rk of H o e k s tra (A., 1931, 1453) is c ritic is e d o n th e
G u g g e n h e im , K . F r o m h e r z , a n d W . K a r r e r (Arch, e x p . P a t h . P h a r m ., 1932, 1 6 5 , 41 2 — 415).— T h e w o rk of H o e k s tra (A., 1931, 1453) is c ritic is e d o n th e