248 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [NOVEMBER 
common use of the formol titration in the determination of amino 
acids is based on our knowledge that such linkages do occur. It had 
been assumed that in case such a combination between formalde- 
hyde and amino acids of the germinating seedling does occur the 
nitrogenpus nutrition might easily be disturbed. It is very much 
hoped that the opportunity may be afforded later to check further 
upon this point, and also to determine the comparative amount of 
amino acids liberated in autolysis of treated and untreated seeds. 
RESPIRATION 
Much effort has been expended in the determination of the effects 
of seed treatment upon the respiration. PErRce and co-workers 
(43) correlated germinative vigor with respiratory activity. Carbon 
dioxide has often been recognized as a measure of the activity of the 
metabolism in the tissues liberating the gas. It was desired to 
determine whether varying concentrations of formaldehyde, show- 
ing varying effects on viability, also affected carbon dioxide releasal 
in the same manner; in other words, whether the measure of formal- 
dehyde injury may be had by the comparatively accurate carbon 
dioxide measurements. 
Seed lots of 75 gm. each in duplicate were soaked in water as 4 
check, and lots in duplicate in the varying concentrations of for- 
maldehyde, period of soaking being ten minutes, after which they 
were drained and sealed in respiratory chambers submerged in a 
constant temperature bath at 28°C. for two hours before begin- 
ning the determination. Large museum jars were used for respira- 
tory chambers, equipped with ground glass tops with openings for 
two-holed stoppers. The seeds were suspended on wire gauze 
six inches above the bottom of the chamber, while the tubing by 
which the gases were withdrawn from the chamber during the tests 
extended to the bottom of the jars. The water bath was 1.5 by 
3 feet, and deep enough to permit the tall museum jars to be com- 
pletely submerged in the water. Under the water bath were placed 
six porcelain resistance units connected to the lighting system of the 
laboratory. About 6 feet of small bore glass tubing was bent so 
as to be submerged in the bath, and filled with mercury, which 
served to conduct current from two gravity cells to a telegraphic. 
