1914] BARTHOLOM EW—DIASTASE IN RED ALGAE 147 
Conclusion and summary 
. There is present in the red algae a diastase which will digest 
the ech of higher plants. 
2. The manner of action of this enzyme indicates that it is at 
least partially composed of a translocation diastase. 
3. The diastase of the red algae, like that of the higher plants, 
is probably not composed of a single enzyme, but of a series of 
amylases and dextrinases. 
4. Judging by the action of the algal extract upon corn starch, 
the diastase is a rather slow-working enzyme. 
5. The series of digestion processes resulting from the appli- 
cation of the algal diastase to corn starch would indicate that the 
substance composing the grains of the red algae is very similar 
to that of the starch grains of higher plants. 
These experiments were begun at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 
and completed at the University of Wisconsin. The writer wishes 
to take this opportunity to extend his thanks to Professor B. M. 
Ducear, at whose suggestion and under whose direction the work 
was begun, and also to Professor R. A. HARPER and Professor W. G. 
MARQUETTE for valuable assistance and helpful — 
UNIVERSITY oF WISCONSIN 
MapIson, Wis. 
