14 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



is twice as strong as that of F. carica. It is much more thermostable than the 

 eii2ym of the latter. The proteolytic enzym (?), measured according to its 

 coagulating power on milk, is four times as strong as that present in F. carica 

 and also more thermostable. It coagulates at all temperatures and coagulates 

 boiled milk much better than raw milk. The enzym causing the caseation is 

 very sensitive toward boric acid and the chlorids of cadmium and copper 



The decomposition of amygdalin and vicianin by enzym action, A. 

 CoMPTON {Chem. News, 106 {1912), No. 275S, pp. 163-165; abs. in Chem. Ztg., 

 87 {WIS), No. 28, p. 281). — If the biose in the amygdalin molecule is called 

 amygdalose, the decomposition of amygdalin proceeds as follows : 



Amygdalase 



CooHotOiiN 



CeHiaOg Amygdalinase 



(Yeast, Almond 

 emulsin) 



C„H„0„N 



(Almond emulsin) 



fHCN > 

 CeHsCHO 



VrHioOr 



(A) 



Vicianin is also converted into hydrocyanic acid, beuzaldehyde. and the biose 

 vicianose if the glucosid is treated with an extract of Yicia augustifolia. If, 

 however, almond emulsin is used, the simple sugars arabinose and glucose 

 result : 



Vicianose fHCN Vicianase 



CeHjCHO 



(Vetch, Almond iCuHzoO 



emulsin) I (Almond emulsin) 



CfiHinOs 



CrHioOr 



KB) 



As marked differences are shown in the above, the question is asked why the 

 decomposition does not proceed according to the following scheme: 



Amygdalinase 



CaoH^^OaN 



HON Amygdalase 

 C„H,CHO 



K'hH,,0„ 



[Ci^H^^Oh (?) U'elli^Oo 



kC) 



If it were possible to prepare an amygdalase free from amygdalinase, it is 

 believed some new light would be thrown upon the above processes. In all 

 probability the reactions occurring with the complex enzyms are dependent 

 upon the amount of amygdalase and amygdalinase present in the mixture. If 

 amygdalinase is present in the larger quantity, the reaction proceeds according 

 to formula (C), but if amygdalase is in excess, the reaction according to 

 formula (A) probably takes place. 



The decomposition of cellulose by micro-organisms, A. Krainsky {Zhur. 

 Opytn. Agron. {Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw.), lit {1913), No. 4, PP- 255-261, figs. 

 7). — For noting the cellulose-decomposing capacity of organisms a square or 

 round piece of filter paper was used in Erlenmeyer flasks containing a mineral 

 nutrient solution. The filter paper was so placed that a portion of it dipped 

 into the nutrient medium and also touched the wall of the flask. The surface 

 of the filter paper in these experiments was infected with an infusion of the 

 soil obtained from a botanical garden, and the flasks with their contents were 

 incubated at 30° C. At this temperature the filter paper became covered with 

 fungi and the black and reddish cultures were particularly capable of pro- 

 ducing pockets in the filter paper. 



Two esi:)ecial]y good cellulose-decomposing Actinomyces species were isolated 

 In pure cultures. One of the cultures {Actimomyces melanocyclus) capable 

 of producing black rings was found to be identical with Micrococcus melano- 

 cyclus, which has been described by Maerker, and produces red colonies on 

 paper which soon become covei'ed with black aerial si>ores. On glucose-agar 



