426 EXPERIMENT STATION" EECOED. 



W. Kiibier (see above). Beginning on March 15 with oalvs about 1 year old, 

 analyses were made of the growing plants after four successive periods of 

 TO, 32, o6, and 50 days, closing September 10. The results of these numerous 

 analyses as regards potash, soda, lime, magnesia, oxid of iron, silicic acid, and 

 nitrogen found in the whole plant, the stem and root, and the foliage, respec- 

 tively, are given in tabular form. 



The relations between changes in protein structure and respiration. — I, 

 The influence of atmospheric oxygen on proteolytic ferments in plants, W. 

 Palladin and G. Kraule (Biochcm. Ztschr., 30 (1912), No. 3-.',. pi). 290-301).— 

 From studies of Agaricus campestris and etiolated leaves of Vicia faha, both in 

 ordinary air and in an oxygen-free atmosphere, the authors conclude that 

 autolysis of proteins in killed plants is increased by the presence of oxygen in 

 the amount found in ordinary air, especially where the plants are of loose 

 structure. The dependence of autolysis upon oxygen is probably indirect. It 

 is claimed that the various ferments present may worli independently or even 

 antagonistically in the cells of the dead plants, but that the conditions most 

 favorable to the work of such ferments have not yet been ascertained. 



The significance of respiration pigments in the oxidation processes of 

 plants, W. Palladin [Bcr. Dciit. Bot. GcscU., 30 (1912), No. 3, pp. 101,-101).— 

 In continuation of previous work (B. S. R., 25, p. 124; 26, p. 326), the author 

 presents a preliminary report on his later investigations on this subject, the 

 principal conclusions being as follows : 



(1) The role played by respiration pigments in the oxidation processes con- 

 sists in the withdrawal of hydrogen from the substance to be used as an oxi- 

 dizer. (2) The oxidases are water-forming ferments. (3) During respira- 

 tion all the hydx'ogen of the glucose is oxidized exclusively through the oxygen 

 of the air. (4) The water formed during respiration is exclusively of aerobic 

 origin. (5) The oxidation of glucose, with the aid of respiratory pigments, 

 takes place with participation of water. (6) The oxidation of glucose during 

 respiration goes on with the employment partly of the oxygen from the water 

 assimilated in the process of respiration, partly of that from the glucose. 

 (7) During respiration, water is not only separated but is also assimilated. 

 A brief discussion is given of some of the changes involved in these processes. 



The influence of diastase and of emulsin on alcoholic fermentation and 

 the respiration of plants, S. L'vov (Ztschr. GdrungsphysioL, 1 (1912), No. 1, 

 pp. 19-4Ji, fig. 1). — Substantially the same as an article already noted (E. S. R., 

 27, p. 221). 



The relation of protoplasmic-streaming movements to movements of 

 starch grains within the cells, A. L. Heilbronn (Ber. Dcut. Bot. Gesell., 30 

 (1912), No. 3, pp. l-'f2-l-'f6). — ^A preliminary report on investigations still in 

 progress. 



In the course of his studies, first with Phaseolus miiltiflonis and Vicia faba 

 and later with Calceolaria chelidonioides, Verbascum thapsus, and Mimulus 

 moschatus, the author found that if cells are placed in their natural position 

 with the starch grains lying on the lower cell wall and the cells are then rotated 

 through 180° the grains after 10 or 15 minutes begin to descend, partly in conse- 

 quence of protoplasmic movement but partly by gravity, some passing through 

 the vacuole, each grain or group in such case pulling through after it a thread 

 of protoplasm. After reaching the bottom, which required from 10 to 28 minutes, 

 the grains were observed to be carried upward and around by the protoplasmic 

 movement which, once started. i>ersisted for from 40 to TO minutes. 



The author expresses the opinion that either the weight of the starch is the 

 stimulus to further motion of the plasma to which the cell reacts in this way, or 



