816 THE ROLE OF NITROGEN, ETC., I , 



glutaminic acid; hordein, for example, contains over 41 %, which 

 is the largest amount of any hydrolytic product obtained from 

 proteins. (44) 



Rosenheim(45) states that rice contains no alcohol-soluble 

 protein, but the chief constituent is the glutelin named by the 

 author oiyzenin. 



5. The nucleo-proteins are present in all seeds. By the action 

 of enzymes they are split into nuclein and protein; the former is 

 further broken into nucleic acid and protein, and thus we find 

 both of these proximate hydrolytic products in most seeds. 



The phyto-toxins are a group of powerful plant-poisons closely 

 allied in properties to certain animal-toxins such as snake-venom,, 

 spider- and bee-poisons, and, like the latter, produce solution of 

 red blood-corpuscles. Ehrlich's first experiments on immunity 

 were carried out with phyto-toxins. There is considerable 

 evidence now to show that these are proteins conjugated with a 

 toxic nucleus. They include ricin from the castor-oil plant, abrin 

 from Abrus precatorius, and crotin from Groton tiglium. Phallin 

 from the deadly mushroom, Amanita jyhalloides, was, until 

 recently, classed among these as a phyto toxalbumin mainly on 

 the results of Robert's work, but Abel and Ford(46) have now 

 proved that phallin is a nitrogenous glucoside. The remarkable 

 fact may be noted that an antitoxin was prepared to the hemo- 

 lytic action of phallin, and should this be confirmed it will be the 

 first instance of the formation of an antitoxin to a substance 

 other than a protein and of known chemical constitution. 



6. Proteoses and peptones have been found in small quantities. 

 Frankfurt(47) found the former in the resting germs of wheat; 

 they do not accumulate in seedlings, but decompose soon after 

 their formation. 



Non-protein Nitrogen Compounds in Seeds. — Nitrates have not 

 been detected in any seeds yet examined, but traces of ammonia 

 are often present in the aqueous extracts; the existence of the 

 latter in the ungerminated seeds is, however, doubtful, as it may 

 result. from the change of unstable amino-compounds or even of 

 proteins during the extraction. 



