SOME VEGETABLE PROTEIDS. 129 



II. HEMP-SEED GLOBULIN. 

 Preparation and Composition. 



The globulin from hemp seed can be easily obtained in a 

 crystalline form in comparatively large quantities. The fol- 

 lowing method of preparation was employed by the writer : 



The raw, ground hemp seed was treated with a 5 per cent 

 sodium-chloride solution at 60 C. for an hour, which was 

 then strained and filtered while hot. The filtrate obtained 

 was rich in globulin, which was precipitated by cooling in the 

 form of perfect but minute crystals. After decanting the 

 supernatant liquid, the precipitate was thrown on a filter and 

 washed successively with distilled water, dilute alcohol, 

 absolute alcohol, and ether, thus removing all salts, fats, and 

 other impurities soluble in water, alcohol, or ether. The 

 ether was evaporated by exposure to the air, and the globulin 

 was finally dried in a desiccator over sulphuric acid. In 

 extracting the globulin in this way, about 50 grams were 

 obtained on an average from a kilogram of the ground hemp 

 seed. The crystals examined under a microscope and by 

 polarized light were found to be perfect isometric octahedra 

 with perhaps a few hexagonal plates. 



The reactions of this proteid are given in full by Osborne, 

 Chittenden and Mendel, and others.* Its composition has 

 also been carefully determined. Chittenden and Mendel give 

 the following analysis : 



Carbon 51.63 



Hydrogen 6.90 



Nitrogen 18.78 



Sulphur 0.90 



Oxygen 21.79 



100.00 



0.8189 gram of the crystallized globulin prepared by the 

 writer, dried to constant weight at 110 C., yielded, after 

 ignition, a residue of 0.0016 gram of ash. This gives: Per- 

 centage ash = 0.20 per cent. 



* Osborne, American Chemical Journal, vol. say, p. 673. Chittenden and 

 Mendel, Journal of Physiology, vol. xvii, p. 50. 



