(Vor. 5 
248 ANNALS OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 
the roots of a substance which reduced ammoniacal silver 
nitrate solution much more actively than did the controls. 
Another extensive study of the metabolie processes follow- 
ing etherization has been made by Hempel (711), using seeds 
and seedlings of Pisum and Lupinus, buds of Acer pseudo- 
platanus, and injured potato tubers, The data reported were 
of a quantitative chemical nature. From а considerable 
amount of analytical work the following conclusions were 
reached: 
Protein hydrolysis with simultaneous formation of **amide"' 
compounds, occurring normally during seed germination, was 
retarded by narcosis in proportion to the dosage used. Very 
small doses produced acceleration. The after-effect of small 
doses was an acceleration of catabolic processes; for large 
doses, a retardation. 
Sugar formation (estimated as glucose) was accelerated 
by a small or moderate dosage of short duration. Longer 
exposure to the same concentrations effected a retardation. 
The translocation of nitrogen compounds to the shoots may 
possibly be affected by etherization, since a relation appears 
to exist between their increase and the protein hydrolysis in 
the cotyledons. 
Etherization of buds (Acer pseudoplatanus) with small 
doses produced an increased quantity of ‘‘amides,’’ either in 
light or in darkness. Larger dosage retarded protein 
synthesis. 
A condensation process of considerable duration involving 
nitrogen compounds characterizes wounding of potato tubers; 
such condensation appeared to be retarded by moderate ether 
doses. A long exposure to the ether (3 days) effected a re- 
tardation of 2 days. Large dosages inhibited the formation 
of ‘‘wound cork.’’ 
Hempel divides ether narcosis into three phases: 
1. The excitation phase resulting from short exposure to 
small doses. The usual effect is acceleration of metabolism. 
2. Narcosis proper, resulting from short exposure to large 
doses or long exposure to small ones. The usual effect is 
N 
