I9IS] Edgar G. Miller, Jr. 217 



this matter. I have determined the surface of a large number of 

 flounders ranging in size from about 4 to 25 cm.; and in weight, 

 from about 0.5 to 150 gm. The surface can be computed from the 

 formula S=K^IV^, wherein W is the weight of the animal. K, 

 which has been found to vary within narrow hmits, is 13.44 for 

 normal flounders. This value coincides closely with that found for 

 higher organisms. 



Under normal circumstances the metaboHsm, as judged by the 

 oxygen consumption, diminishes per unit of body surface as the 

 latter increases. The relation of the metabolism to surface was well 

 illustrated, in a series of experiments,where the surface was reduced 

 30-40 percent by the removal of the fins. The body weight was 

 very little affected by the Operation, as the fins form only 2-3 percent 

 of the weight. In this case the oxygen consumption remained un- 

 changed, and must, therefore, have been dependent upon the mass 

 of living substance. 



Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that the value of K 

 is constant under definite physiological conditions. In fasting 

 flounders the value of K has been invariably much higher. This was 

 due to the fact that the body weight diminished more rapidly than 

 the surface, and probably, also, because the specific gravity of the 

 organism was decreased. 



B. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS FROM THE COLUMBIA BIOCHEM. DEP'T 



165. The neutral-sulfur and colloidal-nitrogen tests in the 

 diagnosis of cancer.^^ Frederic G. Goodridge and Max Kahn. 

 Pubhshed in this issue: Biochem, Bull., 191 5, iv, p. 118. 



166. Sodium selenite as a laboratory reagent for reducing 

 substances. Victor E. Levine. Further experiments confirm 

 the statement^^ that sodium selenite, in alkalin sol., can be used as an 

 indicator for reducing substances, especially carbohydrates contain- 

 ing free carbonyl groups. 



The following do not reduce sodium selenite (alkalin) : acetone, 

 formaldehyde, tri-oxy methylene, acetaldehyde, furol, benzaldehyde, 

 cinnamic aldehyde, salicyl aldehyde, piperonal, methyl alcohol, ethyl 



Iß Some of the work was done in the Beth Israel Hospital, N. Y. City. 

 17 Levine : Biochem. Bull., 1913, ii, p. 552. 



