654 



NA TURE 



[October 24, 1907 



attack, has bocn proved beyond doubt, and favours very 

 definitely the assumption that enzyme and hydrolyte enter 

 temporarily into combination, a conclusion to which H. E. 

 Armstrong and E. F. Armstrong have quite recently again 

 very properly directed special attention ; but, unfortunately, 

 we know practically nothing of the composition of the 

 enzymes, as the complete isolation of an enzyme has never 

 been accomplished. 



From observations hitherto made, it appears in a 

 measure probable that they are derived from proteins and 

 possess a protein-like character. If this be so, it may be 

 hoped that the experience gained with the proteins will be 

 of service in the investigation of enzymes. 



In the meantime, there are other directions in which 

 synthetic chemistry can be of service in elucidating the 

 chemistry of fermentation. In the same way that the 

 artificial glucosides have been of use in establishing the 

 dependence of the action of enzymes on configuration, the 

 synthesised polypeptides are now being used by Abder- 

 halden, Euler, and others to define and measure the 

 activity of the proteoclasts. In a like manner, the synthetic 

 exploration of the purine group has served to direct the 

 recent observations on the fermentative de-amination and 

 oxidation of adenine, guanine, and xanthine. Finally, 

 attention may be directed to the use that has been made 

 of stereochemical considerations in the course of Bertrand's 

 interesting studies of the oxidation of polyhydric alcohols 

 by the sorbose bacterium. 



Not only have the methods of organic chemistry proved 

 to be fruitful of results in the case of the proteins, but 

 also when applied to complex derivatives of the latter, such 

 as the nucleo-proteins, for example. Thus we are indebted 

 to the brilliant researches of A. Kossel and his school for 

 our knowledge of no less than four bases of the pyrimidine 

 and purine group obtained by breaking down nucleic acids, 

 and the analytical investigation of the latter has already 

 been carried so far that, in the opinion of H. Steudel, it 

 is to be expected that their synthesis will be effected at 

 no distant date. Similar success may be hoped for even 

 sooner in the case of the lecithins. Structural chemistry, 

 moreover, is slowly acquiring the mastery over cholesterin 

 by making use of the experience afforded by the synthetic 

 study of the hydroaromatic substances. 



Besides the old well-known constituents of the animal 

 body, new substances having quite unexpected properties 

 have been added from time to time. Such are iodothyrin 

 from the thyroid gland — discovered by Baumann — and 

 crystalline adrenaline — isolated by Takamine from the 

 supra-renal capsule — minute doses of which increase the 

 blood-pressure. Judging from analytical results and the 

 synthesis effected by F. Stolz, adrenaline possesses a 

 relatively simple structure. In the opinion of the dis- 

 coverers, this is probably true of the " pancreatic secretin " 

 made known by Bayliss and Starling's researches, which 

 has the remarkable property of liberating enzymes from 

 the pancreas. May it not also be true of the toxins of 

 many infectious diseases and of the antitoxins used in 

 serum therapeutics, the discovery and systematic investi- 

 gation of which by Behring, Roiix, P. Ehrlich and others, 

 are to be reckoned among the greatest achievements of 

 modern biology and medicine ? 



The methods of organic synthesis will certainly serve 

 to throw light on the nature of all such substances of 

 animal origin. Equally numerous problems await solution 

 in the plant world. 



The great success with which the alkaloids and terpenes 

 have been studied during the past ten years is known to 

 all, but it is only too obvious that much still remains to 

 be done when such substances as quinine, morphine, and 

 caoutchouc remain to be synthesised. 



Alizarin and indigo are prepared artificially in huge 

 quantities, and we are well informed as to the structure 

 of haematoxylin and kindred substances : but our ignorance 

 is correspondingly great of most of the blood colouring 

 matters, as well as of manv coloured constituents of our 

 own bodies— of the hair, the skin, and the eye. 



The fullest recognition, must be accorded', however, to 

 recent investigations on the complex colouring matters of 

 the blood and of chlorophvll. which is distantlv related to 

 the former, associated with the names of Schun'ck, Nencki, 

 Marchlewski, Kustcr, and Willstiitter. 



In fine, the aid of synthetical chemistry is required in 

 every direction in arriving at a clear understanding of 

 structure and of change. The methods at our disposal in 

 the laboratory are doubtless altogether different from those 

 which come into operation in the living world, but 

 chetnists are already trying to effect changes in carbon 

 compounds by means of so-called mild interactions, under 

 conditions comparable with those which prevail in the 

 living organism. It may suffice to refer to the develop- 

 ment of a number of catalytic processes and to the com- 

 prehensive studies on the action of light on organic sub- 

 stances undertaken by Ciamician. In fact, the effort is 

 already being made to cooperate with biology ; it is clear 

 that a section of the forces of organic chemistry is being 

 directed once more towards the goal from which it set 

 out. The separation from biology was necessary during 

 the past century while experimental methods and theories 

 were being elaborated ; now that our science is provided 

 with a powerful armoury of analytical and synthetical 

 weapons, chemists can once more renew the alliance both 

 to its own honour and to the advantage of biology. 

 Indeed, the prospect of obtaining a clearer insight into 

 the wondrous series of processes which constitute animal 

 and vegetable life may well lead the two sciences to work 

 with definite purpose to a common end. 



In order, as far as possible, to avoid mistakes in this 

 difficult task and to shield ourselves from the disappoint- 

 ment which is the inevitable consequence of exaggerated 

 hopes, we cannot do better than strive to imitate the great 

 example of Faraday, who always, with rare acumen, 

 directed his attention to actual phenomena without allow- 

 ing himself to be influenced by preconceived opinion, and 

 who in his theoretical conceptions gave expression only to 

 observed facts. 



NO. 1982, VOL. 76] 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 



Cambridge. — The Public Orator, Dr. Sandys, spoke as 

 follows on Thursday, October 17, in presenting for the 

 degree of Doctor in Science honoris causa Geheimrath 

 Emil Fischer, F.R.S., professor of chemistry in the 

 University of Berlin ; — • 



Scientiae chemicae professor Berolinensis, purpura nostra 

 (ut videtis) vestitus, ex insperato nobis hodie paulisper 

 affulsit. Novimus tamen quam subtiliter materiam illam 

 investigaverit, quae cum aqua commixta lanam colore 

 roseo pulcherrimo tingit ; novimus, via quam admirabili 

 pedetemptim progressus, sacchari genera multa, aut olim 

 nota aut ab ipso patefacta, in elementa sua prima 

 resolverit, atque atomorum de ordine et positura leges 

 novas illustraverit. Peritis saltem nota sunt plurima alia 

 viri huius inventa, quae scientiae intimae ad ipsa pene- 

 tralia pertinent. Duo vero laboris eius monumenta 

 multorum oculis sunt manifesta atque aperta. Bero- 

 linensibus praesertim patet Institutum illud magnum 

 consiliis eius conditum ; talium rerum studiosis ubique 

 terrarum patet opus eius eximium sexies saltem in lucem 

 editum. Virum igitur tam insignem et salvere et valere 

 hodie libenter iubemus, qui Faradaii in memoriam 

 orationem inter Londinienses propcdiem h.ibiturus est, 

 quique, studiorum communium consuetudine nobiscum 

 consociatus, eo artiore nobiscum vinculo coniunctus est, 

 quod filium suum natu maximum Universitati nostrae in 

 scientia chemica erudiendum baud ita pridem commendavit. 



Duco ad vos virum in scientia chemica per orbem 

 terrarum totum illustrem, Aemilium Fischer. 



On Tuesday, October 15, Mr. A. Henry, the reader in 

 forestry, gave his inaugural lecture before a large audience. 

 The Vice-Chancollor presided. Mr. Henry dwelt upon the 

 causes which had retarded the scientific development of 

 forestry in Great Britain. He then described the various 

 types of forest and their origin, and the several methods 

 of the management of forests. He also described the 

 rapidly approaching depletion of the forests in the United 

 .States and northern Europe, and pointed out the necessity 

 of re-afforesting the waste lands of our country. He 

 dwelt at length on Ihe possible introduction of exotic trees, 

 such as the western larch and the Corsican pine. In con- 

 clusion, Mr. Henry described the course he purposed to 



