1921] 
MATSUMOTO—SPECIALIZATION IN RHIZOCTONIA 27 
In the present experiments 2 per cent amygdalin was added to 
the stock solution, likewise 2 per cent maltose was used for com- 
parison, 25-cc. quantities being used in the flasks. The results 
are for a period of 2 weeks, and in general these indicate a low 
rate of glucoside consumption. 
For the emulsin test 2 per cent amygdalin was used as a 
substrate. Five cc. of this was placed in a test-tube and 2 cc. 
of enzyme extraction (1 per cent strength) was added to 1 tube 
of the amygdalin solution serving as control. After incubating 
for 1 day at 45° C. the reducing sugars were determined by 
the Fehling test. 
TABLE XVI 
QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF THE EMULSIN ACTIVITY OF THE 6 
STRA dit THE QUANTITIES REPRESENT MILLIGRAMS 
EDUCING SUGAR IN 2 CC. SOLUTION 
P1 P4 P7 B1 H B3 Control 
5.4 5.6 5.6 5.2 5.5 eR ie Negligible 
In the 5 cases showing positive action the odor of benzal- 
dehyde was easily recognized. 
From these experiments it appears that amygdalin is hydro- 
lyzed and then utilized as a source of carbon.  Itisapparent that 
while amygdalin was undoubtedly slowly hydrolyzed, its nutri- 
tive value is considerably less than that of maltose. Nor was 
there any marked difference in emulsin activity in the various 
strains. In connection with this experiment there was obtained 
for the first time a relatively fair growth of B1 on a maltose 
medium, while this organism gave no growth heretofore on any 
of the synthesized culture media. This suggests that the cul- 
tural characters of the fungus are by no means invariable, but 
more or less modified by environment. Subsequent to this 
experiment the strain B1 was so changed in physiological capac- 
ities as to become a very easily culturable form. 
Cellulose.—Much of the literature dealing with the solution 
of cellulose by microórganisms was largely discussed in the 
