88 PHYSIOLOGY [BoT. Absts., Vol. VIII, 



615. KoGEL, p. R. Uber die Photosynthese des Formaldehyds und des Zuckers. [On 

 the photosynthesis of formaldehyde and sugar.] Biochem. Zeitschr. 95:313-316. 1919. — A 

 brief theoretical discussion. The author considers the possibilities of the action of light in 

 effecting enol-keto transformations analogous to the formation of benzil-benzoin from benzil 

 and H2 in presence of light; the light performs the double function of benzoin formation and of 

 effecting benzil-benzoin combination. Benzil reacting with H2 results in stilbendiol, which 

 by rearrangement gives benzoin. The latter is an enol-keto transformation. These reactions 

 suggest to the author a theory of photosynthesis. Two molecules of CO2 arranged as a simple 

 polymer unite with 2 molecules H2O to give tetrahydroxyethylene and O2. The former is 

 an enol form, which by transformation to the keto form may result in 2 molecules of HCOH 

 and O2. — W. W. Bonus. 



METABOLISM (GENERAL) 



616. Anonymous. [Rev. of: Armstron'g, E. F. The simple carbohydrates and gluco- 

 sides. 3rd ed., x + £39 p. Longmans, Green & Co.: London, 1919.] Sci. Prog. [London] 

 14:688-689. 1920. 



617. Anonymous. [Rev. of: Fisher, Martin H., and Marion O. Hooker. Fats and 

 fatty degeneration : A physico-chemical study of emulsions and the normal and abnormal distri- 

 bution of fat in protoplasm, ix + 155 p. John Wiley & Sons: New York, 1917.] Sci. Prog. 

 [London] 14:502. 1920. 



618. Anonymous. [Rev. of: Spoehr, H. A. The carbohydrate economy of cacti. Car- 

 negie Inst. Washington [D. C] Publ. 287. 79 p., fig. 1-2. 1919.] Sci. Prog. [London] 14: 

 511-512. 1920. 



619. Blake, J. C. The individuality of erythrodextrin. Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc. 42: 

 2673-2678. 1920. 



620. Boas, F., und H. Leberle. Untersuchungen fiber Sauerebildung bei Pilsen und 

 Hefen. III. [Studies of acid formation by fungi and yeasts.] Biochem. Zeitschr. 95: 170- 

 178. 1919. — The authors have studied the selective action of Aspergillus niger when grown 

 in solution combinations of dextrose-acetamid, dextrose-acetamid-ammonium sulphate, 

 dextrose-ammonium sulphate, dextrose-glycocoU, dextrose-glycocoll-acetamid, dextrose- 

 peptone, dextrose-peptone-ammonium sulphate, and dextrose-ammonium sulphate. The 

 data submitted are Ph variations in the substrate, growth (weight of mat and conidia forma- 

 tion), and reaction to Nessler's reagent. The strength of solutions ranged from 0.5-0.25 per 

 cent. In the series with dextrose, acetamid, and ammonium sulphate the Ph values obtained 

 during a 7-day experiment indicate that acetamid in presence of ammonium sulphate is not 

 autolyzed. Similar results were obtained in the dextrose-glycocoll-acetamid series, and in 

 the series where peptone, dextrose, and ammonium sulphate were used in different combina- 

 tions. The several experiments indicate a consistent election of nitrogen from ammonium 

 salts as against the organic solutions used. The increased Ph values resulting are held to 

 account for the partial inhibition of conidial formation and the presence of soluble starch 

 in the solutions. On the basis of the results the authors conclude that lipoid solubility (pos- 

 sessed by acetamid) is not a factor in the metabolism of the fungus, and that strongly dis- 

 sociated nitrogen compounds are elected in preference to those weakly dissociated. — W. W. 

 Bonus. 



621. Bokorny, T. Weitere Beitrage zur organischen Ernahrung der griinen Pflanzen mit 

 Ausblicken auf die Praxis. [Further consideration of organic nutrition of green plants with 

 reference to practical usage.] Biochem. Zeitschr. 94: 78-83. 1919. — Potted plants, cabbage 

 among others, treated for several weeks with solutions of glycerin, methyl alcohol, etc., showed 

 favorable results. Cabbage treated with the alcohol resulted in growth indicated by 164 g. 

 (40 g. dry weight) as against 74 g. (18 g. dry weight) control. Alcohol-treated rye developed 



