Observations on the Effects of partial Thyroidectomy. 123 



author finds that starch is developed even in this plant in the young 

 leaves. 



The starch of the stomatal guard cells is next examined, and the 

 difficulty of depleting these cells discussed. In experiments with cut 

 leaves exposed to sunlight little or no appreciable increase of starch 

 could be obtained. In experiments with pieces of leaves floated on 

 sugar solutions, cane sugar was found to produce starch far better than 

 any other; invert-sugar, glucose, and fructose follow next in order, 

 and maltose is almost useless. 



The necessary details of the experiments, and discussion of results 

 and previous literature are given in the full paper. 



In Part II the author deals in detail with certain inulins which he 

 has discovered in Sdlla nutans and Galanthus nivalis, and shows by the 

 examination of many other genera that inulin is by no means uncom- 

 mon in Monocotyledons. 



The inulin of Scill-a is remarkable for its easy solubility in cold 

 water, while that of Galanthus requires water at 80 C. for solution ; 

 ordinary inulin from Helianthus and other Composite dissolves at 

 about 50 C. 



The proofs of the inulin nature of these bodies, their reactions and 

 mode of occurrence are worked out in detail. Contrary to previous 

 assumption, inulin and starch may co-exist in the same cell. 



It is interesting to note that aquatic species do not store inulin, 

 apparently, but that it is common in those inhabiting dry situations ; 

 the author regards the concentrated solution in the cell-sap of such 

 plants as useful in resisting drought. 



The paper concludes with a detailed examination of the behaviour of 

 the starch and inulin in the bulb of Galanthus at various periods 

 throughout its whole annual cycle of development, comparing the 

 stages with those in the bulb of Narcissus. 



Summaries of the literature, and illustrations, accompany the full 

 paper. 



" Further Observations on the Effects of Partial Thyroidectomy." 

 By WALTER EDMUNDS. Communicated by Dr. KOSE BRADFORD, 

 F.K.S. Keceived October 17, Read November 17, 1898. 



(From the Laboratory of the Brown Institution.) 



Two years ago Yassale and Generali published some interesting 

 experiments on the thyroid; they found that excision of the four 

 parathyroids that occur in dogs (leaving the thyroid lobes) was fol- 

 lowed by symptoms practically identical with those produced by exci 

 sion of the entire thyroid, including the parathyroids. 



