224 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



lysis in yeast, also that the conditions attending constructive processes therein 

 exert considerable influence on the later proteolytic changes. 



Protein formation in plants. — I, In bulbs of Allium cepa, W. Zaleski and 

 W. Shatkin (Biochem. Ztschr., 55 (1913), No. 1-2, pp. 72-78).— As part of a 

 more general study on the mechanism of protein formation in different portions 

 of higher plants, the authors report on experiments with sprouting or injured 

 bulbs of A. cepa. It is stated that protein formation during sprouting, as also 

 after wounding. Ls dependent upon a supply of monamiuo acids. 



Relation of some Saccharomycetes to inulin, V. Grafe and V. Vouk (Ztschr. 

 GdnmgspJiysioL. 3 (IMS), No. 4, pp. 327-333) .—Discussing detailed results of 

 further studies on inulin metabolism (K S. R., 30. p. 432), the authors state 

 that as noted in yeasts utilization of inulin appears to be a complicated process, 

 depending not upon the presence of inulin alone but also upon that of certain 

 other components of the nutritive medium, more pai'ticularly that of certain 

 hydrolyzed products. 



Investig'ations on the substitution of zinc by other chemical elements, M. 

 Javillier (Ann. Imt. Pasteur, 27 (WIS), No. 12, pp. 1021-1038).— The author 

 has investigated the possibility of substituting cadmium and glucinium for zinc 

 in culture solutions for the growth of Aspergillus nigcr, and has come to the 

 conclusion that such substitution can not take place. The action of zinc culture 

 solutions for the growth of molds is said to be that of an active catalyzer. 



Loss or injury of leaves as related to head and grain formation in rye, O. 

 ScHLUMBERGER (Ard. K. Biol. Anst. Land u. Forstiv., 8 (1913), No. 5, pp. 515- 

 551, figs, li; abs. in Deuf. Landw. Presse, 40 (1-913), No. 64, pp. 770, 771).— 



This work was carried out with summer rye, various forms and degrees of 

 injury to the leaves being employed. 



It was found that injury inflicted at the inception of flowering affects the 

 formation of both head and grain in degrees corresponding somewhat to its 

 severity. The abnormality produced, which is usually less marked about the 

 central portion in case of the head, is both qualitative and quantitative, the 

 latter modification being the greater. This work is regarded as preliminary. 



The chemical interpretation of some Mendelian factors for flower color, 

 Muriel Wheldale and H. L. Bassett (Proc. Roy. Soc. [London], Ser. B, 87 

 (1911,), No. B 595, pp. 300-311).— Accorain^ to the authors flower color in 

 Antirrhinnm majus is due to the presence of at least six factors. In the pres- 

 ent paper four of these are considered, particular attention being paid to the 

 yellow pigment. As a result of their studies they conclude that the yellow pig- 

 ment in Antirrhinum is luteolin. 



A discussion is also given of the red and magenta anthocyanin obtained from 

 this flower, and the authors, from their experimental investigation, claim that 

 the reduction and oxidation hypothesis (E. S. R.. 30, p. 129) is opposed to the 

 experimental facts. It is believed that the original production of anthocyanins 

 in the plant is either partly or wholly due to the action of an oxidase on a 

 chromogen, most likely a flavone or xanthone. 



Inheritance of xenia in beans, J. Daniel (Gompt. Rend. Aoad. Set. [Parisl, 

 158 (1914), No. 6, pp. 418-420). — In continuation of a study of xenia in beans, 

 the occurrence of which was previously noted (E. S. R., 28, p. 431), the sec- 

 ond and third generations of the hybrids have been grown. 



It was found that xenia in these plants varied considerably, the influence of 

 the staminate parent on the color ranging from total to almost nothing. The 

 hybrids between Pkaseolus multiflorus and the black Belgian bean did not 

 conform to any interpretation of the Mendelian law regarding heredity. The 

 increase from seed that were thought to be identical gave very diverse descend- 

 ants in different instances and in different years. 



