No. 1, November, 1921] PHYSIOLOGY 45 



273. Priestley, J. H. Suberin and cutin. New Phytol. 20: 17-29. 1921.— This is a 

 review and summary of certain work on the macro- and microchemistry of suberin and cutin. — 

 /. F. Leiois. 



274. Samec, etAnka Mater. Sur la substance organique fondamentale de ramylopec- 

 tine. [The fundamental constituent of amylopectin.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 172: 

 1079-1082. 1921, — Various reactions of amylopectin are given, following out the work of 

 Maquenne on the amyloses. Amylopectin is considered to be formed from certain of the amy- 

 loses by union with polybasic acids. — C. H. Farr. 



275. Zoller, H. F,, and W. M. Clark. The production of volatile fatty acids by bacteria 

 of the dysentery group. Jour. Gen. Physiol. 3: 325-330. 1921. — These studies show: (1) In 

 the presence of 1 per cent glucose and under aerobic conditions a close agreement exists 

 among the organisms studied in the total quantity of volatile fatty acids produced and in the 

 ratio of formic to acetic acid, (2) On peptone under aerobic conditions, volatile fatty acids 

 are produced in appreciable quantities, although the reaction of the solution becomes more 

 alkaline. There is no formic acid, but propionic and acetic acids are found, (3) On peptone 

 under anaerobic conditions, formic, acetic, and butyric acids are produced. The reaction is 

 more acid than in (2). (4) On glucose under anaerobic conditions, the results are similar to 

 those under aerobic conditions. (5) The enormous quantity of formic acid produced by these 

 bacteria may play a significant part in the digestive disturbances and in the symptoms of 

 intoxication accompanying the infection of the human intestinal tract by such forms. — 

 E, L. Proebsting. 



METABOLISM (NITROGEN RELATIONS) 



276. Kayser, E. Influence des sels d'urane sur le fixateur d'azote. [The influence of 

 uranium salts on the fixation of nitrogen.] Compt, Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 172: 1133-1134. 

 1921, — With mannite as an organic nutrient, uranium salts are found in general to have an 

 injurious effect on the fixation of nitrogen by Azotobacter chroococcum. Uranium acetate 

 (1 : 6,000) is an exception. With glucose media uranium acetate (1 : 15,000) increases nitrogen 

 fixation. — C. H. Farr. 



277. Kayser, E, Recherches sur 1 'Azotobacter. [Investigations on Azotobacter.] 

 Compt, Rend, Acad, Sci. Paris 172: 939-940. 1921, — A study of the effect of color on the fixa- 

 tion of nitrogen by Azotobacter is reported. Yellow and blue colors were compared, mannite 

 was used as food, and 2 successive periods of 13 days each marked the extent of the study. 

 No striking differences in the effects of the colors were secured, — C. H. Farr. 



METABOLISM (ENZYMES, FERMENTATION) 



278. BouRQUELOT, Em,, et Bridel, Application de la methode biochimique de recherche 

 du glucose a I'etude des produits de I'hydrolyse fermentaire de I'inuline. [Application of the 

 biochemical method of research on glucose to the study of the products of hydrolysis of inulin 

 by fermentation.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 172 : 946-949. 1921 .—The hydrolysis of the 

 inulin of Atractylis by the inulase of Aspergillus niger gives reduction products which have 

 the rotatory power of d fructose. These products do not combine with methyl alcohol under 

 the influence of emulsin. If glucose is added to the solution a combination with meth3-l alco- 

 hol is effected, therefore the reduction would not seem to yield glucose but methyl-glucoside 

 e.—C. H. Farr. 



279. Hammarsten, Harald. Aldolkonderisation und Harzbildung bei Einwirkung von 

 verdiinnten Alkalien auf Acetaldehyd. [Aldol condensation and resin formation by the action 

 of dilute alkalies upon acetaldehyde.] Ann. Chem. [Liebig] 421: 293-315. 1920. 



280. KosER, S. A. Trehalose fermentation in the differentiation of the paratyphoid- 

 enteritidis group. Jour. Infect. Diseases 29: 67-72. 1921. — Bacillus suipestifer is unable to 



