130 Indianapolis Biochemical Meeting: Abstracts [Sept 



a phlobaphene is formed. This oxidase reaction renders the fluid 

 germicidal. It is suggested that this has a protective value for 

 the fruit. 



Observations on the Deterioration of Maize 



O. F. BLACK AND C. L. ALSBERG 



{Office of Drug Plant, Poisonoiis Plant, Physiological and Fer- 

 mentation Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 U. S. Department of Agriculture.) 



The discovery by the authors of the formation of penicillic 

 acid by Penicilliuni puberuliim Bainier, has enabled them to improve 

 the method for detecting spoiled corn by means of the " ferric 

 Chloride" or "phenol reaction of Gosio." The dry meal is ex- 

 tracted with Chloroform and the extract is tested directly with 

 ferric chlor ide. The delicacy of the reaction is thereby greatly 

 increased. 



An Incubator for Moderate Temperatures 



A. M. BUSWELL AND RALPH H. MCKEE 



(Department of Chemistry, University of Maine, Orono, Me.) 



The incubator uses, without the aid of a relay, a iio volt A. C. 

 current for the heating and the regulation of the current. The 

 expanding liquid of the regulator is alcohol, the capillary U tube 

 outlet being filled with mercury, Five wires are sealed into the 

 capillary tube and the resistances attached so that the voltage drop, 

 as the mercury passes a sealed-in wire, will be but twenty volts. 

 This is below the arcing voltage and consequently no carbonization 

 occurs and practically no gas is formed by the make and break, 

 The lights used for heating are in series with the mercury and such 

 resistances as are pushed in by the expanding alcohol. Without 

 attention the incubator kept between 36.5° and 37.5° for two 

 months. 



