ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 391 



The maximum activity for green cells was in the red between B and 

 C (the place of the most striking of the chlorophyll absorption bands); 

 for yellowish-brown, in the green, at D ^ E ; for bluish-green, in the 

 yellow ; for red, in the green. Hence there must be a series of colours 

 other than that of chlorophyll which possess the power of assimilation 

 in different parts of the spectrum. The maximum activity for a 

 given colour is found in rays complementary to that colour. The 

 author gives also an account of the possible bearing of the above on 

 the distribution of organisms at different depths of water. 



Occurrence of AUantoin and Asparagin in Young Leaves.* 

 — E. Schulze and J. Barbieri removed branches of the birch, plane, 

 and horse-chestnut provided with buds, and placed them in water at 

 the ordinary summer temperature until growth had ceased in the 

 buds. In the extract from the buds, asparagin could be detected in 

 all three cases. In that from the chestnut there was also an amide 

 with the reaction of leucin, and in that from the plane a substance 

 identical in composition and properties with allantoin, CiHsN^Og. 



Cholesterin, Phytosterin, Paracholesterin, &c.t — E. Schulze and 

 J. Barbieri found a considerable quantity of cholesterin in etiolated 

 seedlings of Lupinus luteus, the substance obtained from the seeds and 

 cotyledons exhibiting to a great degree its ordinary properties. On 

 the other hand that obtained from the root and tigellum showed 

 essential differences, especially in a considerably higher fusing-point. 

 The authors propose for it the term " caulosterin," and regard it as a 

 distinct member of the group, with the probable formula C26H44O. 

 The group will then consist of five members, with the following 

 fusing-points : — cholesterin 145°-146°, phytosterin 132°-133°, para- 

 cholesterin 134°-134-5°, caulosterin 158°-159°, and isocholesterin 

 138°-138 • 5°. 



Respiration of Submerged Parts of Plants. J — A. Barthelemy 

 records observations on Nymphcea and Nelumbium, which confirm his 

 previously published view that the disengagement of bubbles of gas 

 is not a normal property of submerged leaves, but is the result of 

 accidental circumstances, and that, in consequence, the special respira- 

 tion of green leaves has not the importance to the plant which is 

 usually attributed to it. 



Freezing of Liquids in Living Vegetable Tissue.§— T. Meehan, 

 referring to the prevalent opinion that the liquid in vegetable 

 tissues congeals as ordinary liquids do, and expanding, often causes 

 trees to burst with an explosive sound, states that experiments on 

 young and vigorous trees, varying from one foot to three feet in 

 diameter, demonstrated that in no instance was there the slightest 

 tendency to expansion, while, in the case of a large maple {Acer 



* Journ. prakt. Ohem., sxv. (1882) pp. 145-58. See Bot. Centralbl., xiii. (1883) 

 p. 263. 



t Journ. prakt. Ohem., xxv. (1882) pp. 159-80. See Bot. Centralbl., xiii. 

 (1883) p. 264. Cf. Liebig's Ann. Chem., ccxi. (1882) pp. 283-i. 



X Comptes Eendus, xcvi. (1883) pp. 788-90. 



§ Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1883. 



