68 FERMENTATION". 



ducts. A complete decomposition of this albuminous 

 body into ammonia, carbonic acid and water is not to 

 be looked for. We know nothing more certain of this, 

 though we are well aware that albuminous matters 

 readily yield ammonia, if, for example, they are 

 gently warmed with an alkali. 



Schmidt's experiments make us thoroughly ac- 

 quainted with the decomposition. 5 c. c. of beer 

 yeast left after being washed with water, as dry sedi- 

 ment, 0'410 (6'3 grains). Had it not been washed, 

 a larger sediment would have been obtained, but it is 

 sufficient for our purpose to know the result just 

 mentioned. After this 5 c. c. of beer yeast had fer- 

 mented with 3 grammes (46'3 grains) of sugar for 

 eight days, O098 (1*51 grains) phosphate of ammonia 

 and magnesia was obtained from it in the manner 

 related above : in another experiment, in which urea 

 was present (without, however, being decomposed) the 

 result was O103 (1*59 grains). So that O012 (O18 

 grains) nitrogen escaped from these quantities of 

 yeast in the form of ammonia during the eight days' 

 fermentation. 



In the albuminous substance of the contents of 

 the cells we find J.5'8 per cent, nitrogen ; so that we 

 may fairly reckon in 0'410 (6*3 grains) yeast, more 

 than half of which consists of albumen, 0'032 (0'49 

 grains) nitrogen. 



In eight days 0-012 (018 grains) escaped. If, 

 therefore, the albuminous substance was entirely freed 



