8 THE BOTAMCAL MAGAZfN^. [voi. xxii No. 252. 



(c) Proteolytic enzyme. To a test tube containing sterilis- 

 ed and coagulated gelatine was added a small quantity of the 

 enzyme solution above mentioned, and the tube was left at the 

 ordinary temperature, keeping the solution in an aseptic condi- 

 tion. The gelatine dissolved very slowly from its upper surface. 

 The result distir.ctly proves that the fungus can secrete a w^eak 

 proteolytic enz3'me, and also coincides with the fact, that the 

 streak culture of this species on gelatine slowly dissolves the 

 medium. 



(d) Rennet. This species grows in common milk very 

 slowly, and the milk becomes gradual!}^ clear and somewhat 

 reddish in colour, while during the culture there is to be 

 observed no sign of coagulation of milk-casein. The enzyme 

 solution above mentioned has also never created any coagulum 

 by mixing with fresh milk. The fungus may be regarded as 

 one that does not secrete rennet. 



(e) Oxidising enzyme and katalase. By mixing the above 

 mentioned enzyme solution with a small quantity of hydrogen- 

 peroxide, an enormous production of oxygen took place. The 

 mixture turned bluish in colour w^hen tincture of guajak- resin 

 was added again to it. These reactions did not happen when 

 the solution used was at first boiled. The results arrived at 

 prove distinctlj^ the existence of katalase and peroxydase in 

 the solution used. Nevertheless, the solution produced no 

 blackning of tyrosin, which shows the absence of the tyrosinase 

 in that solution. 



(2) " Beni-koji "—Yeast. 



The germs of this j^east occur abundantly in the " Beni- 

 koji " and also in the mash w^hich is made b^^ using that 

 agent. 



Grown in hopped wort or Koji-decoction, the young cells 

 of the yeast are commonly globoid or ovoid in shape, colour- 

 less and translucent, and range from 4 to 7 //. in diameter. 

 They are mostl3^ separated from one another and each isolated 

 cell contains one or more vacuoles, variable in size and enclosed 

 in finely granular protoplasm. In older cultures long sausage- 

 shaped cells will be found. 



