408 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



In regard to the action of phosphatese, H. Euleb and S. Kullbebg (Hoppe- 

 Seyler's Ztschr. Physiol. Chem., 76 (1912), No. 2-3, p. 2.'il; ahs. in Zenthl. Expt. 

 Med., 1 (1912), No. Jf, p. 153). — The difference in results obtained by von 

 Lebedew and the authors can be attributed to the kind of yeast preparation 

 employed. 



Regulatory formation of the enzym tannase, L. Knudson (Ahs. in Science, 

 n. ser., 3If (1911), No. 868, pp. 219, 220). — Aspergillus niger was grown in 14 

 media, each of which contained a different carbon compound. The results 

 show that tannase formation takes place when the sugar in the medium is dis- 

 placed by tannic or gallic acid, or supplemented by tannic acid. Gallic acid was 

 found not to be as efficient as tannic acid as a source of carbon for stimulating 

 the formation of the enzym. 



As no work has been reported on the effect of concentration of the trans- 

 formable substance on the quantity of the corresponding enzym produced, the 

 author made tests with A. niger and Pcnicilliuni sp., " in which a modified 

 Czapek's solution was the nutrient medium — in this the concentration of sugar 

 was made 10 per cent, and it was supplemented by tannic acid in conceutrations 

 varying from 0.01 to 10 per cent. The quantity of the enzym produced was 

 augmented by increase in concentration of the tannic acid. None, however, was 

 formed when the concentration of tannic acid was as low as 0.01 per cent. 



" Similar results were obtained with PcniciJlium sp., A. candiclus, A. oryzce, 

 and P. gratiulatum cultivated in a synthetic solution in which the carbon was 

 supplied as 5 per cent cane sugar and supplemented by 2 per cent taunic acid 

 also developed in the enzym tannase. P. expansum in a similar solution did 

 not develop the enzym." 



Separation of peroxidase from catalase, A. Kasanski (Biochem. Ztschr., 39 

 (1912), No. 1-2, pp. 6Jf-72). — This is a study of a method for obtaining prepara- 

 tions which will give the peroxidase reaction but not the catalase test. It is 

 accomplished by adding pyrogallol to the material under examination. Hemp, 

 sunflower, and barley seedlings, liver, radishes, horseradish, and yeast were 

 studied. 



Action of emulsin upon salicin in an alcoholic medium, E. Boubquelot and 

 M. Beidel (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 15 Jf (1912), No. 15, pp. 9U-9Jf6).— 

 The results show that the action of emulsin upon salicin is not arrested in 

 solutions containing strong conceutrations of alcohol. 



The calcium carbid method for determining moisture, H. C. McNeil (U. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Bur. Chem. Circ. 97, pp. 8, fig. 1). — This is a description of a method 

 for determining moisture in paints, soaps, and miscellaneous materials by the cal- 

 cium carbid method (E. S. R., 27, p. 312). Calcium carbid is added directly to a 

 known weight of the sample, the amount of acetylene generated during the 

 process measured, and the amount of acetylene found is then referred back to 

 moisture. 



The apparatus employed in the method is illustrated and consists of a 

 generating flask of about 20 cc. capacity for holding a known weight of the 

 material to be examined, and which has a carbid tube with a projection on one 

 side for holding 5 cc. or more of a finely powdered carbid. The flask is attached 

 to a 100 cc. jacketed burette, drawn out at the ends to facilitate connections. 

 The jacket is connected with a tap for the purpose of cooling with water and 

 to obtain an accurate control of the temperature. In addition there is a leveling 

 vessel. The liquid used in the gns burette and leveling vessel is either mercury 

 or a concentrated solution of sodium chlorid, which has stood in contact with 

 acetylene until saturation has taken place. The latter solution is tinted with 

 phenolphthalein and a little sodium hydroxid to facilitate reading. 



