9 
Carbohydrates, lipins, and proteins are synthesized, in plants, 
from such simple mineral substances as carbon dioxid, water 
and nitrates, by processes of reduction and de- Eiaas Carbo- 
hydrates, lipins, and proteins, when eaten by animals, are 
hydrated into the ‘‘end products of digestion,” ae absorbed 
into the circulation and, in their subsequent assimilation, are 
oxidized into carbon dioxid, water, amino products (e. g., urea), 
etc., and excreted in these useless forms ( 
(The excreted amino products are ultimately oxidized on and in 
the soil into nitrates.) 
The general nature of the fundamental biological cycle of trans- 
formation which is suggested by the above remarks, is indicated 
more fully and graphically, though not completely, by the fol- 
lowing arrangement: 
carbon dioxid 2 
dehydration 
—O |monosaccharids — starch 
Lanit reduction 
an 
. —> water 7 glycerol 
synthesis —— fat 
fatty acids 
nitrate amino acids —-—> protein 
| 
| carbon dioxid +H.0 | 
hydration 
| +0 |monosaccharids < starch 
Animal oxidation 
. wy ,. water —— glycerol 
assimilation — fat 
fatty acids 
nitrate amino acids <— protein 
WILLIAM J. GIES 
DR. HOLLICK’S NEW POSITION 
November 17, 1913. 
Dr. N. L. Britton, DrrEcTOR-IN-CHIEF, 
New York BOTANICAL GARDEN. 
Dear Sir: { beg to advise you that at a meeting of the board 
