42 



ARTHUR W. DOX 



With our present limited state of knowledge regarding enzymes 

 in general, we can only speculate as to what an enzyme is. Prac- 

 tically all we know thus far is that enzymes derived from certain 

 sources manifest the power of inaugurating certain chemical 

 reactions under definite conditions. According to the generally 

 accepted view each type of hydrolysis is brought about by an 

 enzyme which is specific for that substance or class of substances 

 acted upon. 



The enzymes which have thus far been demonstrated by the 

 writer as present in these lower fungi may be seen from the fol- 

 lowing tabulation. 1 



Further investigation will no doubt reveal the presence of 

 other so-called specific enzymes not included in this list. From 

 the data at hand it appears that all these enzymes are formed, 

 regardless of the chemical nature of the substratum that fur- 



1 For a detailed discussion of methods employed the reader is referred to Bureau 

 of Animal Industry Bulletin No. 120 and subsequent publications by the writer. 



