1918] 
BONNS—ETHERIZATION AND ENZYME ACTIVITY 231 
metabolie economy, on the basis of less sugar consumed and 
less acid formed. 
Burgerstein ('06) found that a very low ether content in 
air (.004 per cent) accelerated the hypocotyl growth of 
Phaseolus, Cucurbita, and Helianthus, while the same chloro- 
form dose produced varying degrees of inhibition. Finally, 
Schroeder ('08) studied the effect of ether on the growth of 
Avena sativa seedlings, using the horizontal mieroscope 
under constant temperature conditions. He concluded that 
the effect of ether upon growth was a function of concentra- 
tion and length of exposure. The first effect was stimulation, 
followed by a subnormal depression. With increased dosage 
the latter was more marked and occurred more rapidly until 
concentrations were reached where growth inhibition was im- 
mediate and death resulted. 
Studies of anaesthesial action on cell structure have been 
reported by Nathansohn (’00), Sabline (’03), von Wasielewski 
(204), and Gerassimow (705). Nathansohn studied the ef- 
fect of ether solutions on Spirogyra and Closterium and ob- 
served abnormal nuclear divisions in the latter. Spirogyra 
showed neither form of mitosis under the influence of ether. 
Sabline concluded from a study of various chemical agents 
employed that sulphuric ether effected abnormal cytologic 
changes in the nuclear stages of root cells of Vicia Faba. Von 
Wasielewski obtained amitotic figures in root tips of the same 
plant with 0.5 and 1 per cent chloroform water, but negative 
results with 1 per cent ether solutions, although in the latter 
case he observed an increase in the number of normal mitoses. 
Gerassimow believed from his study of Spirogyra in ether 
cultures that the increase in thickness of the cell, which oc- 
curred only where nuclei were present, indicated nuclear 
stimulation. Weak ether dosages increased response to 
stimuli and accelerated budding and general metabolic 
processes. 
EFFECT ON GERMINATION 
Observations on germination with respect to anaesthesia 
treatment occur in the literature, beginning with the work of 
Claude Bernard (’78), who noted the inhibitory action of 
