318 Prof. W. F. R. Weldon. On certain [Nov.. 16, 



IV. Ether is found to have the same action on the amylolysis in the 

 excised liver as chloroform, but to a much less marked extent. Its 

 action in bringing about structural changes in the liver cells is also 

 less marked. 



Y. Pyrogallic acid, in O25 per cent, neutral solution, acts in the 

 same manner upon the process of amylolysis and upon the liver cells. 



VI. Morphin (O005 to 0'025 per cent.), curare, nitrate of amyl (vapour 

 through salt solution), and salicylate of soda (0'5 per cent.), neither 

 increase hepatic amylolysis nor do they accelerate the cellular 

 changes. The glycosuria caused by the administration of the first 

 three of these is not due to increased hepatic amylolysis. 



The products of hepatic amylolysis in the early and in the later 

 stage were also investigated. In the early stage, glucose appears to 

 be formed directly, and no intermediate bodies, such as dextrins or 

 maltose, occur. In the later amylolysis, the former of these, possibly 

 the latter, are always found. 



In the light of these observations, the nature of the hepatic amylo- 

 lysis is considered, and it is maintained that the evidence shows that 

 the early rapid amylolysis is different from the later slow process, 

 and that it is simply the result of the katabolic changes in the proto- 

 plasm accentuated as death occurs ; that it is, in fact, simply an 

 exaggeration of the process of amylolysis during life ; and that it is 

 in no way due to the action of a zymin, but is comparable to the pro- 

 duction of mucin from mucinogen, and zymin from zymogen. 



The later slow amylolysis is next considered. The development of 

 an acid reaction, partly, at least, due to lactic acid, is shown ; but 

 experiments are given indicating that the acidity is not the cause of 

 the amylolysis. The influence of micro-organisms is also investi- 

 gated, and experiments are given to show that the process goes on as 

 rapidly when these are excluded as when they are present. The 

 evidence of the existence of a zymin in the dead liver is considered, 

 and the conclusion is drawn that the later slow amylolysis is due to 

 the action of such a zymin, probably developed during the disinte- 

 gration of the liver cells. 



II. " On certain Correlated Variations in Carcinus moenas" By 

 W. F. R. WELDON, M.A., F.R.S., Fellow of St. John's Col- 

 lege, Cambridge, Professor of Zoology in University 

 College, London. Received August 9, 1893. 



In previous communications I have discussed the variations in size 

 occurring in one or two organs of the common shrimp (Crangon 

 vulgaris). In these papers it has been shown (1) that the observed 



