1917] AGBICULTUEAL CHEMISTRY AGROTECHNT. 109 



of inorganic phospliorus extracted from tlie wheat bran, without apparently 

 destroying the enzym. Formaldehyde had no effect on the activity of the 

 phytase. The phytin-splitting enzym was found in the wheat embryo. The 

 maximum activity was evident in the presence of 0.1 per cent hydrochloric 

 acid, but was inhibited by 0.2 per cent hydrochloric acid. The enzym is prac- 

 tically destroyed by 0.4 per cent acid. 



See also previous notes by Clarke (E. S. R., 32, p. 16) and Anderson (E. S. R., 

 31, p. 707; 33, p. 11). 



Studies on the forms of d-glucose and their mutarotation, C. S. Hudson 

 and J. K. Dale {Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, S9 (1917), No. 2, pp. S20-S28). 



The influence of amino-acetic acid and a-amino propionic acid on the ac- 

 tion of alkali on glucose, H. I. Waterman {Chem. Weekbl., 14 {1017), No. 4. 

 pp. 119-124). — Analytical data submitted and discussed show that the influence 

 of alanin on the action of alkali on glucose as regards the change in polarimetric 

 readings is similar to that exhibited by glycocoll. For equal weights of the 

 materials the action of alanin, however, is not so marked. 



It is indicated that the reactions involved are being further studied and will 

 be published In a future contribution. 



Notes on some fatty oils, S. Uchida {Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 35 {1916), No. 

 21, pp. 10S9-1093) . — These pages give data relative to the yield and physical 

 and chemical constants of the oils of Para rubber tree seed {Hevea brasiliensis), 

 shiromoji seed {Lindera triloba), Calophyllum inophyllum, Hernandia seed 

 {Hernandia peltata), hakuunboku seed {Styrax obassia), akebi seed {Akebia 

 quinata), kuromoji seed (L. serica), aburachan seed (L. prcccox), magnolia 

 fruit, magnolia flesh, magnolia seed {Magnolia hypoleuca), and tea seed {Thea 

 chinensis) . 



The effect of anesthetics and of frosting on the cyanogenetic compounds 

 of Sorghum vulgare, J. J. Willaman {Jour. Biol. Chem., 29 {1917), No. 1, pp. 

 37-45). — Sorghum leaves exposed to chloroform, ether, and alcohol vapors 

 yielded more hydrocyanic acid, both glucosidic and nonglucosidic, than the 

 normal leaves. The anesthetics thus apparently appeared to stimulate both 

 the hydrolytic and the synthetic action of the glucosidic enzyms. This case 

 is considered as a demonstrated enzym synthesis in vivo. 



" Enzym powder prepared from chloroformed leaves was about twenty-five 

 times as active toward amygdalin as the powder from untreated leaves. Frost- 

 ing also causes an increased yield of both glucosidic and nonglucosidic hydro- 

 cyanic acid. This is partly due to a rupturing of the cells, and pai'tly to dis- 

 tiirbed enzym equilibrium." 



The chemical composition of the placenta, F. Fengee {Jour. Biol. Chem., 29 

 {1917), No. 1, pp. 19-23). — Analytical data of the fresh tissue and the desic- 

 cated fat-free material of the two portions of the placenta of a cow are reported 

 in detailed tabular form and discussed. The data show that the constituents 

 of the uterine placenta in general remain comparatively uniform throughout 

 gestation, while the fetal placenta varies considerably at the different stages 

 of pregnancy. 



Some observations on the influence of humidity on the physical constants 

 of paper, O. Kress and P. Silverstein {Jo-ur. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 9 

 (1917), No. 3, pp. 277-282, figs. 3). 



Inflammability of carbonaceous dusts, H. H. Beown (Jour. Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem., 9 (1917), No. S, pp. 269-275, figs. 7). 



The chemistry of wood decay. — I, Introductory, R. E. Rose and M. W. 

 LissE (Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 9 (1917), No. S, pp. 28^-287 ) .—Detailed 

 analytical data of samples of sound, partially decayed, and totally decayed 

 heartwood of Douglas fir are submitted and briefly discussed. 



