448 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Investigations on the presence of alkaloids and g-lucosids in the Ranun- 

 culacese, E. Vandeklinden {Rec. Inst. Bol. Univ. linue/len, 5 {1902), pp. 135-178, 

 ph. ,.'; n}»^. In Hot. Cerilhl., 9J {1903), No. 8, pj). 167, 168).— A report is given of inves- 

 fi^iitions of ."i!) spwieH which represent the more iinixirtant types of the Itanun- 

 cuhicea'. Tlie methods for recognizing the i)resence of alkaloids and ghicosids are 

 described, and the autiior reports tlie presence of alkaloids in Caltha paln,stris, Del- 

 pliiiiiinii Jn/hrirlian, I), conmlida, D. (ijac'iK, J), i^tttpliisayria, D. grandiforuin, Aconitum 

 li/corldiiKiii, A. (tiitlioni, A. iidpellus, Nigdhi dumdscena, &m\ AdoniH verndliH. In the 

 case of the last species the substance found was an alkaloid glucosid. .Glucosid 

 reactions were observed in Hellehorus niger, Nigella H(dmi, and Arjullegia vidgaris, 

 while neither alkaloid nor glucosid was found in a ninnl)er of other specimens 

 examined. 



In pursuing his studies the author found the alkaloids localized in the woody 

 tissue and parenchyma of the roots, in the epidermis, and in the woody tissue and 

 pith of the aerial organs. As a rule, the alkaloids w^ere not found in the growing 

 tips of the plants, but they appeared later in the developed portions. The alkaloids 

 seem to be present as a waste product, and are found in the tissues which store up 

 the starch, and when the carbohydrates are utilized liy the plant they are left behind. 

 On the contrary, the ghicosids seem to be present as reserve material. 



Microscopical examinations of some glucosids and tannins, A. (tokis ( TJicvs, 

 Farix, 190.',; <d)s. /». But. Ceidhl., 93 (1903), No. 37, pp. -A'i-.AV?).— The principal 

 investigation re])urted in this thesis is a study of esculin and tannin in ^Esciibis liip- 

 pocastamim and Facia rubra. The microchemical reactions of esculin and its com- 

 pounds are described, and from the experiments the author is led to lielieve that 

 esculin is formed by the plant without any direct action of light. It occurs in the 

 embryo of the seed sprouted in darkness as well as in the light. The glucosid does 

 not seem to be a reserve material, notwithstanding that during the autumn it dis- 

 appears from the leaves, being transferred to the adjacent' branches. 



In addition to esculin a tannin is found in the horse-chestnut, which was also 

 studied. This seems to be usually more or less modified, occurring in the same cells 

 with the esculin, the glucosid often being found in combination with the tannin. 



In the concluding ])art of the thesis the author reports studies on a number of 

 analogous ghicosids from other plants. Those stucUed were fustin, fraxin, daphnin, 

 salicin, and cafein. These ghicosids are, with the exception of daphnin, analogous 

 to that observed in the horse-chestnut and are usually found in composition with the 

 tannic acid. The author believes that probably most ghicosids and alkaloids exist in 

 the plant in condjination with tannin, forming tannin ghicosids or tannin alkaloids 

 which are very soluble in water and alcohol and very unstable. The medicinal 

 principles of many plants are believed to be present in these forms. 



Investigations on the physiology of a green alga, P. G. Charpentiek {Aim. 

 Inxt. Puatciir, 17 {19i)3), No. 6, pp. 369-4-0). — Baseil upon an extended series of experi- 

 ments with ('iixtococcus humicola, the authcjr claims that this alga is able to take carbon 

 from glucose, inverted sugar, levulose, and saccharose solutions, as is done by cul- 

 tures of molds and other fungi. In these cultures the coefficient of the utilization of 

 carbon is higher for the alga than any mold or yeast investigated. 



When grown in a confined atmosphere the early growth of the alga resembles that 

 of a fungus, but later it l)ehaves identically like that of other green plants. The 

 Cystococcus was found to be able to synthesize its chlorophyll in darkness, and like 

 other chlorophyll-bearing ]>lants it stores its reserve starch in its cells. In its ability 

 to take nitrogen from nitrates, and under certain conditions from ammonia, it resembles 

 ordinary green plants. 



A study of the structure of Botrytis cinerea, J. Beauverie and A. Guillier- 

 MOND ( Ceydbl. Bakt. u. Par., 2. AbL, 10 {1903), Nos. 9, pp. 275-281; 10, pp. 311-320, figs. 

 14). — As a result of their studies the authors claim that there are 3 forms of Botrytis 



