GERMINATION OF SEEDS. 233 



an intermediate position, attributing- to amido-acids and 

 amides respectively different functions in germination. He 

 has shown that during germination the completeness and 

 celerity of proteohydrolysis and disappearance of amido- 

 acids is correlated with the quantity of reserve-carbohy- 

 drates, the consumption of amides being, however, de- 

 pendent upon the influence of light. 



Hence, as far as present knowledge extends, it may be re- 

 garded as proved, that the theory of v. Gorup-Besanez with 

 regard to proteohydrolysis during germination is true ; that 

 amides and amido-acids functionate differently in germina- 

 tion, the former only resulting in small amount from direct 

 hydrolysis, being chiefly formed synthetically from products 

 of the further transformation of the latter and anitroeenous 

 substances derived from the reserve-carbohydrates ; that 

 this synthesis of amides occurs in the dark : and finally that 

 the earlier stages of proteohydrolysis, at any rate, are due to 

 enzymic action. It is also most probable that proteins can- 

 not be regenerated from amides in darkness, and still 

 nothing can be said as to the rationale of their regeneration 

 in light. 



A careful study of the principal contributions to the 

 literature on this subject exemplifies admirably, that by 

 systematic and continuous application most important gen- 

 eralisation can be effected, and phenomena elucidated that 

 had been previously " explained ' through invoking the 

 omnipotent aid of protoplasm. An excerpt from a paper of 

 Schulze's is of interest in this respect : " Das im Vorstehen- 

 den Miti^etheilte bitte ich zu betrachten als die Gedanken 

 eines Chemikers, welcher sich bemiiht, die chemischen 

 Vonxano-e in der Pflanze zu verstehen, ohne dass er ein 

 ' eigenthlimliches Verhalten der lebenden Eiweissmolekule ' 

 oder ahnliche Annahmen zu Hiilfe zu ziehen braucht." 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



W. PFEFFER. Untersuchungen lib. d. Proteinkorner, etc. Pritigs. 



Jahrb.f. wiss. Bot., 8, p. 429, 1872. 

 V. Gorup-Besanez. Leucin neben Asparagin in d. frischen Safte d. 



Wickenkeime. Ber. d. deut. ch. Ges., 7, p. 146, 1874. 



