544 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Cyanogenesis in plants, J. W. Leather (Af/r. Jour. Uidia, 1 {1906), No. 3, 

 pp. 220-225). ■ — After briefly noting the occurrence and distriI)ution of cyauo- 

 genetic glucosids in a number of species of plants, the author describes his in- 

 vestigations with 3 species of plants of economic importance. 



Analyses are reported of samples of sorghum that were taken as a part of a 

 lot that had been held responsible for poisoning a number of cattle. The fodder 

 when received was partially air-tlried and found to yield 1.28 grains prussic 

 acid per pound of green fodder. The crop had been grown under irrigation and 

 was in flower when cut. Other investigations showed a wide variation in the 

 amount of prussic acid, depending apparently upon the variety and the stage 

 of maturity, the content decreasing as maturity was approached. In a sample 

 of sorghum that gave 0.17 grain prussic acid per pound in the air-dried ma- 

 terial it was found upon analysis that the leaves contained 2..") grains, the stalks 

 1.1 grains, and the flowers 0.25 grain. Sun drying seemed to have no effect 

 on the glucosid. 



Experiments with cassava showed that no variety contained prussic acid as 

 such, but all contained a cyanogenetic glucosid, and associated with it was an 

 enzym capable of splitting up the glucosid with the formation of prussic acid. 

 The common classification of bitter and sweet cassava is based upon the amount 

 of glucosid present. 



The third plant investigated was flax, the feeding of which was held respon- 

 sible for the death of more than 50 head of cattle. Specimens of the suspected 

 forage upon analysis yielded 1.4 grains prussic acid per pound of the plant. 



In addition to these plants the author reports having obtained prussic acid 

 from beans (Phascoliis hinatus:) and Dolichos labJah by simply allowing the 

 crushed seeds to remain in cold water for a few hours. In the case of seeds of 

 this kind their poisonous properties may be destroyed by boiling them in water. 



Cyanogenic glucosids of plants and the utilization of reserve nitrogen, 

 M. SoAVE (8tuz. Sper. A(/r. Ital.. 3'J (1906). No. .5, pp. //;^8-.'/37).— Studies are 

 reported of the germination of the seed of the Japanese medlar (Mcspilus 

 japonica). in which attempts were made to ascertain the amount of free hydro- 

 cyanic acid and the role of glucosids occurring in the seed. 



It was found that hydrocyanic acid was not present in the seeds of the 

 Japanese medlar, or in such minute quantities as to be shown only by the most 

 delicate tests under favorable conditions. Amygdalin was present, however, 

 often to the extent of 0.80 per cent of the total nitrogen of the seed. With the 

 germination of the seed free hydrocyanic acid appeared, and at some stages of 

 the development was found to amount to as much as 1.98 per cent of the total 

 nitrogen. At the same time the amygdalin and other glucosids increased to 7.22 

 per cent of the total nitrogen. The nitrogen in the hydrocyanic acid and in the 

 amygdalin was found to amount to as much as 0.15 per cent of the total nitrogen, 

 indicating that the remaining nitrogen in part at least had assumed a gluco- 

 sidal form. This the author has shown takes place in sweet and bitter almonds, 

 and he believes it will be found true also in experiments with seeds containing 

 cyanogenic glucosids other than amygdalin. 



Hydrocyanic acid, which is a widely distributed principle in plants, appears 

 to be the first nitrogenous compound formed by plants and serves as the begin- 

 ning of the proteid substances elaborated later. 



The occurrence of prussic acid and its derivatives in plants, T. A. Hekby 

 (»SV/. Prog. Ttrentieth Cent., 1 (1906), No. 1, pp. 39-50). — A summary is given 

 of the i)resent information relative to the occurrence of jtrussic acid in plants, 

 the author stating that it has been found in over 100 species of plants repre- 

 senting 22 different orders. The occurrence of prussic acid in plants is in the 

 form of cyanogenetic glucosids, a number of which are described. Associated 



