No. 2, November, 1920] PHYSIOLOGY 121 



thrin in Cyanophyccac probably arises by transformation of phycocyanin, since the two 

 pigments vary in the plant in inverse ratio. The red pigment of certain Myxophyceae (Sau- 

 vageau) is regarded as phycoerythrin by the author. — L. W. Sharp. 



METABOLISM (NITROGEN RELATIONS) 



845. Blish, M. J. Effect of premature freezing on composition of wheat. Jour. Agric. 

 Res. 19: 181-188. 1920. — This is an investigation of the effect of premature freezing on the 

 more important chemical constituents of the wheat (Triiicum) kernel, with special reference 

 to the nitrogen compounds, from which gluten is formed. Frozen wheat contains larger 

 amounts of nonprotein nitrogen, reducing sugars, and acid-reacting substances than does 

 sound wheat. The nonprotein nitrogen of frozen wheat carries a considerably higher per- 

 centage of a-amino nitrogen than that of sound wheat. — D. Reddick. 



846. Cauda, A. Gruppi vegetali fissatori di azoto libero. [Plant groups that fix free nitro- 

 gen.] Nuovo Gior. Bot. Ital. 26: 169-178. 1919. — Bacillus Cruciferae, isolated from the roots 

 of various cruciferous plants (Raphanas, Sinapus, Brassica) was found to fix free nitrogen, 

 especially when cultivated on liquid media having an excess of calcium carbonate and a defi- 

 ciency of nitrogen. The amount of nitrogen fixed by the organism nearly equals that obtained 

 from Azotobacter and surpasses Bacillus radicicola. Bacillus Cruciferae forms round, whitish 

 colonies of viscid consistency. Older colonies turn yellow, rose, or red brown. The organism 

 is rod shaped and forms chains; it is stained yellow with potassium iodide and blue with 

 Loffler's stain and methylene blue. — Ernst Artschwager. 



847. Davis, Lewis, and Newell S. Ferry. Studies on diphtheria toxin. II. The role 

 of the amino acids in the metabolism of Bacterium diphtheriae. [Abstract.] Absts. Bact. 3: 

 9-10. 1919. 



848. Sani, Giovanni. Intorno aH'attivita riduttrice delle radici delle graminaceae: la 

 riduzione del nitrato di calcio per le radici delle graminacee. [Reduction of calcium nitrate 

 by roots of the Graminaceae.] Atti R. Accad. Lincei Roma Rend. (CI. Fis. Mat. e Nat.) 

 28 2 : 199-201. 1919. — The theories regarding the reduction of nitrates in plants are reviewed 

 as an introduction to a series of articles on this subject. [See also next following Entry, S49.] 

 — F. M. Blodgett. 



849. Sani, Giovanni. Intorno alia attivita ridduttrice della radici delle graminacee: la 

 riduzione del nitrato di calcio per le radici graminacee. Nota II. [The reduction of calcium 

 nitrate by roots of the Graminaceae.] Atti R. Accad. Lincei Roma Rend. (CI. Sci. Fis. Mat. e 

 Nat.) 28 2 : 244-247. 1919. — The extracts of the roots of wheat, oats, barley, and corn were 

 found to contain a reducing substance when tested either as an aqueous extract or after 

 purifying. It was also found that extracts made from the roots of maize and wheat reduced 

 calcium nitrate solution. This reducing action came to a stop after a certain concentration 

 was reached and was inhibited entirely by an alkaline solution of Rochelle salt. [See also 

 next preceding Entry, 848.]— /*\ M. Blodgett. 



METABOLISM (ENZYMES, FERMENTATION) 



850. Catjda, A. Prove di fermentazione vinosa con aggiunta di lieviti purificati. [Investi- 

 gations upon alcholic fermentation with purified yeasts.] Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital. 52: 524-533. 

 1919. 



851. Chesnut, V. K. Report on papain. Jour. Assoc. Official Agric. Chem. 3: 3S7- 397. 

 1920. — A study of Papaya latex, especially its enzyme action. — F. M. Schertz. 



852. Clark, Mansfield. The production and activity of proteus gelatinase in relation to 

 P H . [Abstract.] Absts. Bact. 4: 2. 1920. 



