260 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [NOVEMBER 
quent injury to the grain is incident to the liberation of formalde- 
hyde gas from the precipitate, with its resultant solution in the 
moisture content of the living cells, the process must be a slow 
cumulative one which is entirely in harmony with the definite 
although slow entry of formaldehyde herein shown actually to occur. 
Furthermore, even though the grain be treated with 1-320 formalde- 
hyde, such a deposit of the polymers would result in the presenta- 
tion to the living cells of a much stronger concentration than that 
of the dip used. Yet even at the concentration of 1-320 it is 
evident that while germination is often but lightly affected, the 
diastatic power of wheat is retarded, the catalases are less active, 
and respiration is definitely reduced. It is not impossible that 
such results indicate a decided tendency to a reduction in seedling 
vitality even in the presence of germination. 
It is highly desirable that these studies be pursued further to 
determine the relationship of treatment to the proteolytic activi- 
ties of the germinating seed, and further, to determine whether the 
recommended “‘presoak”’ of BRAUN (13) or the ‘“‘post-washing”’ of 
Miss Hurp (33) correspondingly modify the physiological activities 
and alleviate their injury. 
Summary 
1. Tests of formaldehyde entry into wheat have been made both 
by microchemical tests and by imbibitional studies, indicating that 
formaldehyde slowly enters through the seed coat. 
2. Diastatic activity of the grain is retarded. 
3. Respiration is slowed down. 
4. Catalases are reduced in their ability to break down peroxides. 
OREGON AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 
CorVALLIS, ORE. 
LITERATURE CITED 
1. ABDERHALDEN, E., and SAMUELY, FRANz, Die Zusammensetzung des 
*‘Gliadins” des shape Zeit. Physiol. Chem. 44:276-283. 1905. 
Abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. 88:6 1905. 
2. APPLEMAN, C. O., Some OEE on catalase. Bor. Gaz. 50:182- 
192. 1910. 
, Physiological behavior of enzymes and carbohydrate transforma- 
tions in after-ripening of the potato tuber. Bor. Gaz. 52:306-315. 1911. 
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