AGRICULTUEAL. CHEMISTRY — ^AGEOTECHNY. 307 



ably there are other sulphur combinatious in proteins besides the cystin group. 

 The paper is an introduction to experimental studies of the subject. 



The decomposition of proteins by electrical methods, C. Sebono (Rend. Soc. 

 Chim. Ital., 2. ser., 2 (1910), pp. 31-33). — An application of electrolytic methods 

 for studying the constitution of the protein molecule. The method and appa- 

 ratus used are described in detail. 



Direct measurements of tlie osmotic pressure of casein in alkaline solution, 

 B. MooBE, H. E. RoAF, and A. Webster {Bio-Chem. Jour., 6 (1911), No. 1, 

 pp. 110-121 ) . — This article offers experimental proof " that apparent imperme- 

 ability of a membrane to ions is not due to the properties of the membrane but 

 to the colloid contained within the membrane." 



The newer progress made in experimental colloid chemistry as related to 

 the proteins, H. Handovsky (Ztschr. Chem. u. Indus. Kolloide, 7 (1910), No. 4, 

 pp. 183-193, fig. 1). — This is a detailed review of the literature in this regard. 



The synthesis of fats by the action of enzyms, F. L. Dunlap and L. O. 

 Gilbert (Ahs. in Science, n. ser., 3-'t (1911). No. S68, p. 220). — An enzym in the 

 seeds of the castor bean (Ricinus comnmnis) was found to have synthesizing 

 properties. 



In regard to the decomposition of saccharin substances, A. Jolles (Biochem. 

 Ztschr., 29 (1910), No. 1-3, pp. 152-201, figs. 3).— The rotation of all the sub- 

 stances examined (rhamnose, cane sugar, lactose, maltose, dextrose, levulose, 

 galactose, invert sugar, and arabinose) is with the exception of cane sugar 

 diminished to a considerable degree when treated with an hundredth-normal 

 alkaline solution at 37° C. A 1 to 2 per cent solution of dextrose was decom- 

 posed in a period of 24 hours. 



Among the decomposition products formed at 37° there were acids, but acid 

 formation from saccharose was very small. The rapidity of acid formation 

 was found to be accelerated by the addition of oxidizers such as hydrogen 

 peroxid and silver oxid, and diminished by excluding air. Arabinose, saccha- 

 rose, and maltose yielded an acid the calcium salt of which gave Tollen's 

 reaction for glucuronic acid and Bial's pentose reaction. In some cases the 

 formation of acetaldehyde was observed. The formation of polyoxy acids in 

 large quantities by excluding air was not observed. Formaldehyde produced a 

 diminution in rotation. The determination of dextrose polarimetrically in an 

 alkaline solution which has been allowed to stand for a few hours was found 

 to yield inaccurate results, but on the other hand, when using Fehling's solution 

 for the determination by reduction within a period of 24 hours correct results 

 were obtained. 



The author finally presents a hypothesis in regard to the decomposition of 

 sugar in the animal organism. 



Action of dilute aqueous solutions of ammonia and sodium carbonate upon 

 various saccharin substances, A. Jolles (Biochem. Ztschr., 32 (1911), No. 2, 

 pp. 97-100). — From the results it was noted that ceuti-normal ammonia solu- 

 tion has no influence upon the rotation of arabinose, dextrose, levulose, galac- 

 tose, and maltose in dilute aqueous solutions (from 0.2 to 1 per cent) if the 

 solutions are allowed to stand for 24 hours at a temperature of 87° C, while 

 on the other hand, with sodium hydroxid the rotation was often brought down 

 to zero or near zero. Sodium carbonate was found to act less violently than the 

 sodium hydroxid. According to the author, the decomposition of saccharin 

 substances is dependent upon the hydroxl ion concentration. 



A conjugated glycuronic acid from the sugar beet, K. Smolenski (Hoppe- 

 Seyler's Ztschr. Physiol. Chem., 11 (1911), No. 3, pp. 266-269).— The precipi- 

 tates which were obtained by heating crude beet juice and extracting with 

 absolute alcohol and water were treated with hydrochloric acid in order to 

 28727°— No. 4—12 2 



