44^ Biological Division, 'American Chemical Society [April-July 



water content of the plant and that o£ the soil at the time of wilting, 

 need to be reinvestigated quantitatively. The retention of water, not 

 transpiration, is the physiological function correlated with, and in- 

 dispensable to, growth in general, and to survival and greater areal 

 distribution of plants entering physically or physiologically arid 



habitats. 



A new apparatus for determining crude fiber in foods, feed- 

 ing-stuffs, and feces. A. D. Emmett. {Dep't of Animal Hus- 

 bandry, Lab. of Physiol. Chem., Univ. of III.) In crude fiber de- 

 terminations it is often very difficult to transfer the last portion of 

 insoluble residue from the flask to the Gooch crucible or funnel. 

 The use of a beaker is an advantage, not only from the Standpoint 

 of accuracy but also with respect to saving of time. 



The special feature of this apparatus is the arrangement which 

 makes it possible to use a beaker. It consists of a specially con- 

 structed glass cone and rubber ring which prevents appreciable loss 

 of water vapor during the boiling and thereby any increase in the 

 concentration of the acid and alkali Solutions. The inverted cone is 

 attached to a Hopkins condenser with rubber tubing and the ring 

 is snapped onto the lower edge of the cone. The condenser, cone, 

 and ring are then lowered over a 400 cc. lipless beaker and adjusted 

 until the connection between the rubber ring and beaker is tight. 

 The entire apparatus is fastened in place by the clamp which holds 

 the condenser. The glass cone is provided with a side-tube attach- 

 ment which is so constructed that when air is drawn through the 

 apparatus gently, the tendency to foam is greatly retarded. 



Enzymes of the central nervous System. H. M. English 

 AND C. G. MacArthur. (Biochem. Lab., Univ. of III.) Enzyme 

 extracts were made directly from fresh tissue with water, dilute 

 acid, dilute alkali and dilute salt Solutions, and glycerol. After 

 several days' standing, with toluene or oil of mustard as a preserv- 

 ative, the extracts were examined. Lipase, peptase, nuclease, Pro- 

 tease, peroxidase, arbutinase, salolase and dextrinase were detected. 



Lipase acted on the f ollowing substances, in the order : Triacetin 

 > monobutyrin > ethyl butyrate > olive oil > kefalin > lecithin. 

 Sodium glycocholate, saponin and sodium phosphate were activators 

 for lipase. 



