330 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [May 
Adamkiewicz reaction, using glyoxylic acid and concentrated sul- 
phuric acid, gave no well-defined positive result. After two days, 
digestion no. 3 was found to give a weak tryptophan reaction, whereas 
none of the others gave a positive result. An experiment carried 
out in the same way with the developing seeds gave the same result 
except that the unboiled test with Witte peptone gave a much stronger 
reaction for tryptophan, showing that the proteolysis had been 
more vigorous. The evidence indicates that the enzyme present 
is an ereptase. 
CASTANEA SATIVA AMERICANA.—-The leaves of this tree were 
ground with sand in a mortar, the pulp mixed with water, divided 
between four test tubes, and examined as follows: 
No. 1—toluol + uncoagulated egg albumen. 
No. 2—toluol + uncoagulated egg albumen—boiled 
0. 3—toluol+ Witte peptone 
0. 4—toluol+ Witte peptone—boiled. 
After two days in the incubator no. 3 gave a faint reaction for tryp- 
tophan, the others none. The original pulp from the leaves gave 
no Adamkiewicz reaction. The unripe seeds of the chestnut were 
ground to a paste and mixed with water. No Adamkiewicz reaction 
was given by this mixture, which was divided between four test 
tubes and examined in precisely the same way as the leaves. The 
result was qualitatively the same, but the tryptophan reaction in 
the unboiled trial with Witte peptone was very strong, showing the 
presence of an active protease, probably an ereptase. 
PHasEoLUs Munco.—Three weeks old etiolated seedlings of 
this bean were rubbed up in a mortar and covered with glycerin 
and a little toluol. After extracting for twenty-two hours, the gly- 
cerin was somewhat diluted, strained through gauze, and filtered 
through absorbent cotton. This extract was tested as follows: 
No. 1—10° extract + fibrin. 
No. 2—10°¢ extract boiled + fibrin. 
No. 3—10° extract + Witte peptone. 
No. 4—10° extract + Witte peptone—boiled. 
Examined after three days’ digestion no. 1 showed no digestion 
of the fibrin and gave no test for tryptophan, no. 3 gave a mark 
tryptophan reaction, and no. 4 none. 
