212 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
a) The hot alcohol-ether soluble substances (sugars, amino 
acids, amids, polypeptides, lipoids, etc.) increased by 8-9 per cent, 
while the insoluble substances (proteins, starch, cellulose, ligno- 
celluloses, etc.) were correspondingly diminished. The water 
content of the ethylene treated and control tissues was the same. 
b) The lower soluble sugars (by direct reduction) were about 
II per cent more and the higher soluble sugars (by reduction after 
hydrolysis) about 3 per cent less. The reducing power of the 
alcohol-ether insoluble residue, after hydrolysis, was decidedly 
less for the ethylene treated tissue; also, the cellulose content was 
diminished by about 3 per cent. 
c) Amino acid plus amids were more, and the polypeptides 
apparently less in the ethylene treated tissue. The protein con- 
tent also was about 3 per cent less. 
d) Fats were much less abundant in the treated tissue. The 
free fatty acid value was unchanged. 
3. The acidity of the ethylene treated tissue was not found to 
be changed. 
4. Ethylene caused an increase of osmotic pressure, as Bier 
both by the freezing point and plasmolytic methods. 
5. The permeability was not sharply affected by ethylene, 
although it was somewhat increased. 
6. Ethylene affected respiration, retarding both the CO, pro- 
duction and the O, absorption, but the respiratory ratio remained 
practically the same. An exception to the preceding statement was 
found in the case of the shortest exposure period (3 hours), in which 
there occurred, apparently, an excessive production of CO,, thereby 
increasing the ratio. 
I wish to acknowledge the many valuable suggestions of Drs. 
Witt1am Crocker, of the Department of Botany, and FRED- 
ERICK C. Kocu, of the Department of Physiological Chemistry, 
under whom the foregoing investigation was undertaken. | 
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO 
