62 Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin No. 112 



Test for Active Enzymes. 



One hundred grams of finely ground leaves and stems 

 were digested with three liters of water at a temperature of 

 37.5 C. for a period of 48 hours. The aqueous portion was 

 separated and mixed with an excess of alcohol. A profuse 

 .precipitate was formed which soon settled to the bottom of 

 the flask. The alcohol was removed and the solids remaining 

 were washed with a little cold alcohol and subsequently dried. 

 A portion added to a dilute solution of amygdalin failed to 

 produce hydrolyses to any appreciable extent. This indicates 

 the absence of Beta-glucose or allied enzymes capable of hy- 

 drolyzing Bite-methyl glucosides. Not having any representa- 

 tive of the Alpha-methyl glucosides the presence of Alpha- 

 glucose could not be ascertained. 



Water Extracts. 



In carrying out the work of determining the character of 

 milk vetch it was quickly demonstrated that water was a 

 better solvent for the removal of the poisonous principle than 

 alcohol, ether, chloroform, or acidulated water. 



The concentrated water extracts were invariably dark, 

 resembling plant resins obtained by alcoholic percolation. Res- 

 idues obtained by alcoholic treatment were dark and in general 

 did not differ in appearance from those derived by maceration 

 with water. If to a concentrated alcoholic extract a large 

 volume of water was added, a bulky grayish precipitate was 

 thrown down. This, upon closer examination, proved to be 

 calcium sulphate. 



With the exception of three extracts, all were given in- 

 ternally to full-grown rabbits. The three administered other- 

 wise were given to an old ewe, a yearling calf, and a female 

 dog. 



The extracts used in the tests were prepared as follows : 

 No. i. 



Seeds and pods (dry) 3 oz. 



Alcohol (95% ) 10 oz. 



