804 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



charcoal was also found to be clue to a change in the hydrogen ion concentra- 

 tion. Relatively large amounts of this material, however, were found to 

 absorb invertase from solution. Gelatinous aluminum hydroxid was also found 

 to possess this adsorbing power, but in small amounts it did not interfere with 

 the activity of the enzym. 



The occurrence of arginase in the animal organism and its determination 

 by the formol titration procedure, S. I^dlbachek (Uoppc-Scylcr's Ztsrlir. 

 riiysiol. Chcm., 95 {J015), Xo. 2-3, pp. 81-87). — From his investigation the 

 author concludes that the Sorensen formol titration method is a convenient 

 and reliable procedure for the determination of arginase. Arginase was found 

 in the liver of guinea pigs and rabbits, but was absent from this organ in birds 

 and reptiles. Its presence in the kidneys, thymus, and intestinal mucosa of 

 birds, as reported by Kossel and Daliin," could not be determined by the 

 method followed. 



A hydrogen electrode vessel, W. M. Cl.\ek (Jour. Biol. Chcm., 23 {1915), No. 

 2, pp. Jf75-'/86, fiy. 1). — The author describes a form of apparatus devistnl to 

 meet some special requirements in a study of the hydrogen ion concentrations of 

 bacterial cultures. The accuracy of the results obtaintxl witli the apparatus 

 is indicated by experimental data. 



Simple sodium lamp for polariscope, G. K. Foresman {Jour. Indus, and 

 Enyin. Chcm., 8 {1916), No. 2, p. 165). — The device consi.sts of a piece of tire and 

 acid proof asbestos with a slit of the proper size cut in. and is used in con- 

 nection with an ordinary Bunsen burner with a wing top. By saturating the 

 edges of the slit with salt solution a flame of great intensity is produceil. The 

 asbestos docs not affect tlie quality of the sodium flame. 



A large fat extractor, C. L. A. Schmujt {.lour. Indus, and Engin. Chcm., S 

 {1916), No. 2, p. 165, fig. 1). — A large apparatus in which .several pounds of 

 material may be extracted in a single operation is described and illustrated by 

 a figure. It consists essentially of two parts, a large distilling flask and the 

 extractor proper, which is made of heavy glass. To insure ether-tight seals 

 mercury is used at all the connections. The apparatus may be used for the 

 recovery of the solvent used in the extraction. 



Soda lime as an energetic general reagent and its great chemical activity, 

 I. GrAiiEscHi {Abs. in Chcm. Ahs., 10 {1916), Xo. 1, p. 25).— \ review of the 

 literature of soda lime is given and its history and uses discusse<l in detail. 



Experimental data indicate that soda lime is an excellent absorbent for 

 chlorin, bromiu, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitrogen peroxid, and 

 carbonyl chlorid. The freshly preparetl reagent absorbs from SO to 90 cc. 

 of carbon dioxid in 10 minutes. When prepared from calcium oxid and a .solu- 

 tion of sodium hydroxid it was found to be a better absorbent for carbon 

 dioxid than solid potassium hydroxid. Carbon monoxi<l. pyrrol, indol, alde- 

 hydes, ethyl bromoacetate, benzyl bromid, chloroacetone, ami a number of 

 ethers and nitriles were found to be more or less completely absorbed. 



The author concludes that soda lime probably is not a simjile mixture but a 

 definite compound, and proposes formulas. 'With traces of iron, manganese, etc., 

 it is considered superior to the chemically pure material as an absorbent 

 since these substances act as catalysts. 



A rapid method of converting scrap platinum into chloroplatinic acid, .T. B. 

 and A. Tingle {Jour. Soc. Chcm. Indus., 35 {1916), Xn. 2. p. 77).— A method in 

 which the platinum is alloyed with zinc by fusion under a layer of borax or 

 other flux is described. The metallic mass which results from the fusi»m is 

 treated with dilute commercial hydrochloric acid. The zinc dissolves rapidly 



<» noppe-Scylci's Ztschr. riiysiol. Chcm., 42 (1004), No. 3, p. 1S4. 



