INFLUENCED BY RADIUM. CKEIGHTON. 43 



A saturated solution of amygdalin in water, was subjected 

 to the action of radium rays for four days. At the end of that 

 time part of the solution was tested with Fehling's solution for 

 glucose. Not the least trace of glucose was found to be present. 

 Another part of the solution was boiled with ammonium poly- 

 sulphide, and after the excess of the latter had been removed 

 by boiling, a few drops of dilute ferric chloride were added. 

 As there was no change in colour hydrocyanic acid was inferred 

 to be absent. Solutions of amygdalin were acted upon by 

 radium for different lengths of time up to ten days, with the 

 same result as above. 



Although on boiling the solution of amygdalin, which had 

 been under the influence of radium for a time, with a few drops 

 of Fehling's solution, the copper was not reduced, thus showing 

 the absence of glucose, the blue colour due to the copper, almost 

 disappeared, a whitish or pale blue gelatinous precipitate was 

 formed, and a fairly stro'ng odour of ammonia was given off. 

 If more than a few drops of Fehling's solution were, added to 

 the amygdalin, the blue colour did not disappear 011 boiling. 

 When Fehling's solution was added to an ordinarv solution of 

 amygdalin, it was found that the same changes took place on 

 boiling, except that the solution of amygdalin which had not 

 been acted upon by radium, was not able to discolour as much 

 Fehling's solution as was a solution that had been acted upon 

 by radium. These changes must be due to some reaction taking 

 place between the amygdalin and the Fehling's solution, or one 

 or more of its constituents; these reactions are more complete 

 when the amygclalin has been under the influence of radium 

 for a time. 



Amygdalin solutions were boiled with the constituents of 

 Fehling's solution combined in all possible ways, but it was 

 only when they were present so as to form Fehling's solution 

 that the 'above results were obtained. When a solution of 

 amygdalin was boiled with caustic potash alone, ammonia was 

 given off but no precipitate was formed. 



