Dr. Lucius Nicholls 233 
a few days in a solution of potassium ferro- 
cyanide, they were then washed and cut in half, 
the cut surface was carefully scraped, and a 
minute drop of ferric chloride was placed in 
the centre; as it spread it formed prussian 
blue with the potassium ferrocyanide which 
had penetrated the bean. The prussian blue 
is very deep through the testa and that, surface 
of the kernel which is in contact with it. The 
irregular arrangement of the two convoluted 
halves of the bean allows substances that have 
penetrated to distribute themselves fairly 
thoroughly throughout the kernel. It, how- 
ever, takes some time for matter to penetrate 
entirely throughout the seed. Thus in fig. 3 
spot 4 is reached several days before spot B. 
Fic. 3.—Section of cacao seed showing the convolution ot 
its cotyledons. 
Now in the majority of cases yeasts and 
other organisms are absent from the interior of 
the beans, but zymase, the ferment secreted by 
yeast, can be demonstrated in the interior of 
the seed; in this situation it will carry on its 
usual action, and bring about changes such 
