1202 METABOLISM OF LIPOIDS, STEROLS, [pt. iii 



which it can be seen that they confirmed Plimmer & Scott in every 

 particular, except that they did not distinguish between phospho- 

 protein and nucleoprotein phosphorus. In both cases the facts agree 

 excellently with the state of affairs long known to morphologists, 

 namely, that the processes of ossification in the embryonic bones are 

 proceeding during the last week of incubation. Obviously the lecithin 

 phosphorus is transformed into phosphorus in the embryonic bones. 

 As can be seen from Fig. 406, the curve for increase of calcium in 

 the embryo runs almost exactly parallel to this curve for increase of 

 inorganic phosphate. The increase in inorganic phosphate, however, 



Plimmer &i Scott 

 3|5- P-disbribution in whole egg 



Masai &u Tukutomi 

 ip P-disthbution in whole egg 



D Ether-soluble P 

 ■ Inorganic P 

 «> Water-soluble organic P 

 ® Vitellinand nucleo-probein P 

 (not separated) 



Days -^5 



Fig- 374- 



is not confined to the embryo as Figs. 375 and 376 show, and this 

 suggests that calcification of the bones is not the only destination for 

 the inorganic phosphorus. The albumen becomes acid (see Fig. 211) 

 towards the end of incubation, and, though from the work of Vladi- 

 mirov it seems as if the increasing carbon dioxide elimination is not 

 responsible for this, but rather some fixed acid produced by the embryo, 

 yet the albumen never becomes more acid than pH 6- 1 , although its 

 titratable acidity shows a rather greater proportionate increase. A 

 buffer action is, in fact, indicated. If, then, the rise in inorganic 

 phosphate is not confined to the embryo, it is not unreasonable to 

 suppose that sodium or potassium phosphate may be the substances 

 responsible for the buffer action. 



