332 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



albumin, asparagin, and ammonia. On the basis of the findings from these 

 experiments, in connection with the data of related literature, he reaches the 

 following conclusions : 



In the plant tissues the nitrates are reduced to ammonia during the oxida- 

 tion of carbohydrates. The ammonia so produced taken on the forms of 

 various amid compounds, in some parts, of asparagin ; while that absorbed from 

 outside passes over in large part into asparagin. Asparagin is absorbed by the 

 plant and appears as a good source of nitrogen in this series of experiments. 



The assimilation of nitrates in plant cells, O. Loew (Chem. Ztg., 36 (1912), 

 No. 7, pp. 57, 58). — Considering the questions of (1) what is the first transfor- 

 mation product of the nitrates in the manufacture of protein and (2) what 

 factors are operative in the reduction of such nitrates, the author takes the 

 negative view as to the formation of hydroxylamiu and the necessity for light 

 as a source of energy for the reduction process. The results of several investi- 

 gations are presented with his views, in brief as follows : 



Previous experiments conducted, supervised, or cited by the author are 

 claimed to show that (1) contact with platinum sponge is sufficient in the 

 absence of light to reduce magnesium nitrate with glucose in an over-saturated 

 solution of potassium hydrate or to reduce potassium nitrate in solution with 

 dextrose; (2) here is a process analogous or similar to one that goes on in the 

 living cell; (3) absence of light did not prevent, nor did access of light acceler- 

 ate, the reduction of sodium nitrate in the development of PeniciUium gUiucum 

 cultures in a nutrient medium with glycerin; (4) in various roots kept growing 

 in a cool and totally dark chamber the nitrates were steadily decreased in quan- 

 tity with corresponding increase of protein; and (5) in case of young etiolated 

 barley plants kept 7 days in a nutrient solution containing 0.2 per cent of 

 sodium nitrate, and then for an equal time in cane sugar solution, maintained 

 at 10 per cent strength and at from 10 to 20° C. and half saturated with cal- 

 cium sulphate, every trace of the nitrate dis;ippeared from the plants in com- 

 plete darkness with increase of protein, while the control plants showed strong 

 nitrate reaction. It is held that (6) the light energy which breaks up nitric 

 compounds, for example, nitric acid with evolution of nitric peroxid, has its 

 parallel and equivalent in energy developed by the so-called intramolecular 

 (anaerobic) respiration; (7) if hydroxylamiu were formed from nitrates 

 through reduction, its toxic influence uiwn cells, even in highly dilute solutions, 

 would reveal its presence, the same being true also of some other suggested 

 products; (S) the proteins of living cells are so labile that the least disturbance 

 originates a series of changes which extend throughout the protoplasm; (9) 

 the kinetic energy of the living protoplasm, lowering to more stable groupings, 

 is sufiicient for the more difficult work of reducing sulphates; and (10) most 

 roots are obliged to utilize their nitrates in the absence of light and they are 

 probably not carried to the leaves for reduction before utilization. 



The physiological function of magnesia in green plants, L. Bernaedini 

 and G. Morelli (Rend. Soc. Chim. Itah, 2. ser., S (1912), No. 13, pp. 31,9-353; 

 Atti R. Accad. Lined, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 21 (1912), I, No. 5, 

 PI). 357-362). — In continuation of work previously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 30; 

 22, p. 433), the authors here report their conclusion that magnesium probably 

 plays an important role in plant development by its combining with phosphoric 

 acid in the formation of both storage and utilization materials. This is said to 

 be evidenced by the behavior of the chlorophyll in relation to changes in the 

 magnesium phosphate and the germination of seeds in the presence of light. 



Injurious effects of illuminating' gas upon greenhouse plants, E. M. Wilcox 

 (Ann. Rpt. Nehr. State Uort. Soc., .}2 (1911), pp. 278-285, figs. 11).— A descrip- 



