00 DROSEKA EOTUNDIFOLIA. CHAP. VI 



10 cub. cent, were measured out and evaporated, and dried at 

 110 as before. The residues were respectively 



" In the liquid containing hydrochloric acid 04079 



propionic acid O'OGOl 



butyric acid - 1468 



valerianic acid OT254 



" Hence, deducting from each of these the above-mentioned 

 residue, left when the digestive liquid itself was evaporated, 

 viz. O'OOSl, we have, 



" For propionic acid . . . . . . . . 0'0570 



butyric acid - 1437 



valerianic acid . . . . . . . . 0'1223 



as compared with 0'4048 for hydrochloric acid ; these several 

 numbers expressing the quantities of fibrin by weight digested 

 in presence of equivalent quantities of the respective acids 

 under identical conditions. 



" The results of the experiment may be stated thus : If 100 

 represent the digestive power of aiiquid containing pepsin with 

 the usual proportion of hydrochloric acid, 14 - 0, 35 - 4, and 30'2, 

 will represent respectively the digestive powers of the three 

 acids under investigation. 



" 5. In a second experiment in which the procedure was in 

 every respect the same, excepting that all the tubes were 

 plunged into the same water-bath, and the residues dried at 

 115 C., the results were as follows : 



" Quantity of fibrin dissolved in four hours by 10 cub. cent, 

 of the liquid 



" Propionic acid 0'0563 



Butyric acid 0-0835 



Valerianic acid .. .. .. 0-0615 



" The quantity digested by a similar liquid containing 

 hydrochloric acid was 0'3376. Hence, taking this as 100, the 

 following numbers represent the relative quantities digested 

 Ly the other acids : 



" Propionic acid .. .. .. 16'5 



Butyric acid .. .. .. 247 



Valerianic acid .. .. .. IG'l 



" 6. A third experiment of the same kind gave : 



