1915] SPOEHR—RESPIRATORY ACTIVITY 385 
For example, the formation of ozone from molecular oxygen pre- 
requires at least a partial dissociation of the oxygen molecule. 
It is interesting to note that in Vienna a relation of atmospheric 
ionization to the amount of ozone was established, the latter 
increasing with the former.” From the work of J. J. THomson™ 
we know that the chemical effects produced by light are due to the 
emission of corpuscles from some of the atoms of the illuminated 
substance. Valency, under this conception, depends upon the 
relative ability of the atoms to eject or attract corpuscles. Now, 
it is of especial importance to note that Bacu,"™ in elaborating the 
investigations and theories of Moritz TRAUBE with especial refer- 
ence to biological oxidative processes, comes to the conclusion that 
it is the partially dissociated oxygen (-O—O—) which combines 
with the oxidizable substance. Furthermore, C. ENGLER, who 
with his co-workers has done a great deal to extend our knowledge 
of autoxidation, lays great stress upon the idea that for autoxidative 
processes the dissociation or liberation of free valencies in the oxygen 
molecule is necessary, and in this way he explains the accelerating 
influence of light and heat on oxidative processes. This very 
pues statement SOWe: I believe, that the air may possess higher 
“oxidative power’’ during the hours of illumination than during 
darkness. 
In the foregoing pages the term respiratory activity has been 
used in a very general sense, and with special reference to aerobic 
respiration. There is, of course, little reason for supposing that 
the ionization of the atmosphere in any way affects the first stages 
in the katabolic processes, the breaking down or splitting of complex 
chemical substances. It is probably only in the oxidative processes 
that the action of the air plays a réle. In what stages in the series 
of changes involved in this highly complicated process oxygen 
* KAEHLER, Kart, Luftelektrizitat. p. 56. 
*s THomson, J. J., The conduction of electricity through gases. Cambridge. 
1913 (p. 290). 
, Du réle des aes dans les phénoménes d’oxydation lente. 
Compt. Wend. Ated: Sci. 124:951-954. 7 
*S ENGLER, C., and WEISBERG, J., sie Studien iiber die Vorginge der Autoxy- 
dation, Brauhachwelk: x 
Kastte, J. H., The pat and other glo eataaa concerned in biological 
oxidations. . Ss. Hysiieic Lab. Bull. 59:9-30. 19 
