104 Indianapolis Biochemical Meeting: Abstracts [Sept. 



uncqual quantities of dextro- and levo acid; others produced a mix- 

 ture of eqiial quantities of dextro- and levo-acid, or pure inactive 

 acid ; and one culture produced pure levo acid. The results suggest 

 the possibility of differentiating bacteria by this method, when 

 cultural characteristics and morphology furnish no certain marks 

 of distinction. 



Nucleic Acids in Soils 



EDMUND C. SHOREY 



(Laboratory of Fertility Investigations, Bureau of Soils.) 



From several soils, by extraction with dilute sodium hydroxide, 

 an amorphous light colored body has been obtained having the 

 general properties of nucleic acids. 



This body on heating with hydrochloric acid gives decomposi- 

 tion products among which phosphoric acid, pentose sugars, 

 cytosine, and a mixture of xanthine bases have been identified. 

 Reactions indicating the presence of levulinic acid have also been 

 oBtained after hydrolysis with a mineral acid. 



In the mixture of xanthine bases the presence of hypoxanthine 

 has been definitely determined. The body itself has the general 

 properties as to solubility and precipitation common to nucleic acids. 



Conditions for Tannic Acid Fermentation 



LEWIS KNUDSON 



{Department of Botany, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.) 



As a result of the fermentation of tannic acid (gallotannic), 

 gallic acid is formed. Van Tieghem first showed that the fermenta- 

 tion of this substance may be effected by the two organisms Asper- 

 gillus niger and Penicillium glaucum. Pottevin and Fernbach 

 simultaneously reported the extraction of the enzyme tannase, the 

 transforming agent. Since that time several other investigators 

 have contributed to the subject. 



Experiments made by the writer indicate that if tannic acid 



