) CURRENT LITERATURE 219 
fermentation to which these results point. For it can hardly be said that the 
sults now attained furnish any adequate explanation of fermentation ; though 
__ theyremove it more completely from the realm of so-called ‘‘vital”’ action, 
they refer it to the category of equally inexplicable catalytic phenomena. 
After discussing the nature of fermentation and its relation to enzymes, 
_ the author gives a detailed account of diastase (60 pp.), inulase, cytase, sugar- 
_ @litting enzymes, glucoside-splitting enzymes, proteolytic enzymes (57 pp.), 
_ fatsplitting enzymes, clotting enzymes (48 pp.), ammoniacal fermentation, 
_ midases, alcoholic fermentation, and the fermentative power of protoplasm, 
4 The work closes with chapters on the secretion, constitution, and mode of 
a ation of enzymes. Of course the treatment of these topics includes a dis- 
_ Gission of the discovery, occurrence, preparation, and behavior of enzymes in 
_ ‘eth animal and plant bodies. 
Awork like this is not open to adverse criticism. ° It is rather to be com- 
mended without stint. Indeed, every physiologist will be thankful to know 
and to have at hand this compact but full summary of researches, accompa- 
: = itis, by an extensive bibliography, leading to further details in the 
‘ginal papers. One notices with pleasure that even the results contradictory 
to the general trend of investigation are clearly stated. This engenders con- 
the fairness of the work ; a confidence which the closest scrutiny 
Py The bibliography, which the author modestly says is not exhaustive, is 
2 | be po ended. Its extent will be appreciated when it is stated 
| wh ae about 800 titles! The citations would have been improved 
taken from orm system been followed. Here is an assortment of five styles 
: L(BBo) 2313 (4) (1) Zeit. f, Biologie Bd. x. 92; (2) Zeitsch. f. klin. Med. 
- (08y4), or ' © Cent. f. Bact. 1891. Bd. 10. 401; (4) Cent. f. Bakt. 15 
them, Gesell s er. d. deut. chem. Gesell. 23 (1890). 3689; (6) Ber. d. deut. 
ey 95), 1433. This will be looked upon by many as of small 
the defect ig Pag so it is, in comparison with the value of the work. But 
pity that it OP eaeadl and so easily avoided that it seems the greater 
to mar so good a bibliography. Moreover, calling attention 
it here ma 
eed to lay i . to emphasize a point which many scientific writers sorely 
, 4 7 
U 
Users of this wes. ._- 
Wal Sez, 5 work will be thankful that the editor of the Cambridge Nat- 
the aut [. of which this is oue, had an index prepared, in spite 
that the peeing that one was unnecessary. They will only be sorry 
‘thors, for ls not fuller, and that it does not include the names of 
: whi ae 
hich the bibliography must be consulted.—C. R B 
