THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



27 



We can represent the change as follows : 



n(r)C(),4-5H,0)=n(C,H,,0,+60,), or 



graphic 



(H-0— H 



n( 



(0 = C=0 



H 



I 

 (H— C-OH). 



I /H 



C\ 



I o 



y \H 



(H-C-OH), 



I 

 H— C=0 



In one plant (Tropaeolum) it has been found that the formation 

 of sugar precedes that of starch. 



\^an Baeyer proposed the following series of changes, as probable: 



CO,+H20=HCOOH+0=HCOH+02 



6n ( HCOH ) =n ( C,,H, 3O, ) =n ( C,H,,0, ) +H,0 



( )bjections to this theory are that HCOH and HCOOH are poison- 

 ous substances which would kill the cell, unless their conversion into 

 harmless substances is instantaneous. Another series of reactions 

 nuist, therefore, take place simultaneously. 



Emil Fischer believes that the formation of a compound of CO2 

 with HCOH precedes that of sugar and starch. 



{ To be Continued. ) 





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