844 Experiments 



So not only was dry rot not checked by the effect of oxygen at 

 high tension, but, on the contrary, it was accelerated. That alone 

 is enough to show us that we are not dealing with an act of 

 cellular life. 



But is it a diastatic act? Are we dealing with a direct oxida- 

 tion? Oxidations of this sort are not checked by oxygen at high 

 tension; at least, that is the case with pyrogallate of potash. 



Experiment CCCCLXXXV. February 10. At the bottom of a glass 

 is a solution of pyrogallic acid; a little capsule containing potash 

 floats on the surface. The whole is subjected to 10 superoxygenated 

 atmospheres in the cylindrical glass apparatus. 



February 13. The apparatus is shaken without being opened; as 

 soon as the potash touches the acid, the liquid reddens instantaneously, 

 certainly more rapidly than it would have done at normal pressure. 



The acceleration of dry rot in compressed oxygen seems to indi- 

 cate that it is the result of an oxidation. The following experiment 

 seems to demonstrate this fact. 



Experiment CCCCLXXXVI. November 12. Very hard medlars are 

 pounded in a mortar, and the paste thus obtained is poured into a 

 glass. 



Two hours after, dry rot has begun on the surface of the pasty 

 mass. 



In summary, we see, thanks to the use of oxygen at high tension, 

 that dry rot is certainly not an act in the life of the cells of the 

 fruit, but very probably the result of a direct oxidation. 



2. Ripening of Fruits. 



The same question can be asked about the regular ripening of 

 fruits. If this is a phenomenon of diastatic type, it will continue 

 in compressed oxygen; if it is an act of cellular life, it will be 

 checked. The experiment is quite difficult to carry out, because 

 we must use fruits which ripen easily and quickly off the tree, 

 which are not too subject to harmful changes, and which are small 

 enough to be penetrated by the oxygen rapidly. 



Experiment CCCCLXXXVII. July 9. Gooseberries which are 

 hardly pink, beginning to ripen. 



A, at normal pressure. 



B, in the cylindrical glass apparatus. 

 July 17. Decompressed. 



A, very red, sweet, tender, quite ripe. 



B, have not changed color; are firm and hard, acid, with the taste 

 of rather tart cooked gooseberries. 



