1917J ACiRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY — AGROTECHNY. 411 



The oil is deemed to consist largely of the gljxerid of oleic acid, together 

 with smaller amounts of the glycerlds of liuoleic and palmitic acids. A small 

 amount of an unidentified phytosterol was also present in the oil. 



Tobacco seed oil, N. H. Cohen (Proefstat. Vorstenland. Tabak [Dutch East 

 Indies], Medcd. 14 (1915), pp. 57-65). — Some data relative to the yield of oil 

 from the seeds of various crops of tobacco and the fertilizing value of the 

 press cake are submitted and discussed, together with notes on the possible eco- 

 nomic importance of the industry. 



A sample of seed yielded on analysis the following percentage composition : 

 PjOi, 1.0 ; K2O, 2.06 ; nitrogen, 4.21 ; and oil, 14.38 



The oleoresin of Doug'las fir, A. W. Schorgeb (Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, S9 

 (1917), No. 5, pp. IO4O-IO44) . — The oleoresin in the heartwood of Douglas fir 

 (Pseiidotsuga taxifolia) was found to contain a volatile oil consisting largely 

 of l-a-pinene, with small amounts of Mimonene and 7-terpineol. The oil from 

 the oleoresin obtained from the sapwood contained i-a-pinene, Z-|3-pinene, and 

 probably /-limonene. The " firpene " previously described as a new terpene is 

 indicated as being highly active i-a-pinene. 



The oxidase of Rhus diversiloba, J. B. McNaib (Jour. Infect. Diseases, 20 

 (1917), No. 5, pp. 485-498, figs. 4). — The results of the inve.stigation show that 

 the darkening of the sap of R. diversiloba is due to oxidation and that the 

 oxidation results in the total loss of the irritating poisonous properties of the 

 sap. The oxidase found accelerated the transfer of molecular oxygen to 

 phenols and aromatic amins. The oxidizing power is accelerated by dilute 

 alkalis and retarded by dilute acids, and when boiled for a short time in 

 aqueous solution is destroyed. The similarity of the oxidase to others previously 

 isolated is noted. 



In the study of the oxidase the author applied the Van Slyke apparatus (E. 

 S. R., 31, p. 610). 



Achroodextrinase, J. Effront (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 164 (1917), 

 No. 10, pp. 415. 416). — The preparation of a dextrinase which rapidly converts 

 into achroodextriu, amylodextrin, and erythrodextrin from Bacillus mesenteri- 

 cus found in various seed press cakes, distillery malt, and similar amylaceous 

 material is noted, lihe enzym is precipitated by alcohol and ammonium sul- 

 phate at an optimum temperature of 40° C. It acts best in a medium neutral 

 to methyl orange but is also active in slightly alkaline solution. Its action is 

 retarded, however, by even very low acid concentration. 



The use of the bacterial diastase in the textile industry, in converting starch 

 residues into dextrin sirup, etc., is indicated. 



The chemical nature of the vitam^ins. — III, The structure of the curative 

 modifications of the hydroxypyridins, R. II. Wilxiams (Jour. Biol. Chem., 29 

 (1917), No. S, pp. 495-520, pi. 1). — Continuing the study previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 36, p. 314) it has been found that the two crystalline forms of 

 a-hydroxji)yridin are isomeric and mutually convertible. The needle form alone 

 is curative for polyneuritis. The corresponding crystal form of |3-hydroxypy- 

 ridin and the anhydrous forms of methylpyridone, trigonellin, and betain pro- 

 duced similar curative effects on polyneuritic birds. The last three, however, 

 yielded negative results when tested for protective properties. 



It is concluded that " the curative form of a-hydroxypyridin is a pseudo betain, 

 and that a feature conforming more or less closely in structure or energy con- 

 ditions to the type of a betain ring is probably an essential characteristic of 

 antineuritic vitamins." The theoretical possibility of the existence of such a 

 structure in most of the simpler nitrogenous constituents of animal tissues, but 

 especially in the nuclein bases, is pointed out. 



