THE HEX ON BASES. 71 



Closely related to the protamins on the one hand, and to the 

 histons on the other, are two bodies which have been obtained from 

 the spermatozoa of an Arbacia and Cyclopterus lumpus, and which 

 are termed ar/xichi and cyclopterin, respectively. Of these, cyclop- 

 terin is more closely related to the protamins proper, and, like these, 

 yields a sulphate, which may be obtained as an oily material. 

 Unlike the protamins, however, it gives Millon's reaction, but does 

 not form a precipitate on heating ; on cooling, it separates out, 

 and then presents a rose color. It contains much less oxygen than 

 the protamins. From most of the histons it differs in containing no 

 sulphur and in not being precipitated by ammonia. Its formula has 

 not as yet been ascertained. The sulphate contains 42.03 per cent, 

 of carbon, 6.90 per cent, of hydrogen, and 22.08 per cent, of nitrogen. 



Arbacin differs from the protamins and cyclopterin in containing 

 much less nitrogen, but, like cyclopterin, it gives Millon's reaction. 

 It is not completely precipitated from its solutions by ammonia, but 

 resembles the histons in other respects. Kossel indeed seems now 

 to regard it as such. It is precipitated from its solutions by the 

 neutral alkaloidal reagents, and itself precipitates albumins. It gives 

 the bin ret reaction. 1 



THE PROTONS. 



The protons are substances closely related to the protamins, and 

 are formed as intermediary products during the hydrolytic decom- 

 position of the latter into hexon bases. Individually they are 

 but little known. They differ from the protamins in the greater 

 solubility of their sulphates and in the fact that they are not 

 thrown down by the protamin precipitants, or, if so, are more 

 readily soluble. \Yith the coagulable albumins and the primary 

 albumoses in ammoniacal solution, moreover, they do not give rise 

 to a precipitate, or to a slight turbidity only, which may be due to 

 traces of undecomposed protamin. From clnpein three protons 

 have been obtained. One of these apparently has the same com- 

 position as clupein itself, while the others contain more hydrogen, 

 but less carbon and nitrogen, and may hence be regarded as clupein 

 hydrates. The formula of one of these is C 30 H 61 N 17 O 8 , and it is 

 interesting to note that the analogous product of sturin has the same 

 composition. 



THE HEXON BASES. 



The hexon bases comprise arginin, histidin, and lysin. As has 

 been stated, they are formed during the hydrolytic decomposition of 



1 From Lota vulgaris Ehrstrom obtained a histon-like body, which he terms lota 

 histon. This is insoluble in water and solutions of the neutral salts, but dissolves in 

 acids and alkalies. From its acid solutions it is precipitated by ammonia. It gives 

 a violet biuret reaction. The xanthoproteic reaction is positive, that of Millon feeble 

 but distinct. Molisch's reaction is quite intense, and that of Adamkiewicz slight. 



A similar body was found by Kossel in the mature testicles of Gadus morrhua, 

 and by Bang in the immature 'organs of the mackerel. The two are spoken of 

 as Gadus histon and scombron, respectively. 



