502 Scientific Intelligence. 



The principal results of these researches can be condensed into 

 a single statement : the law of the unity of the axillary bud has 

 absolutely no exception. g. l. g. 



9. Artificial intracellular Crystallization / E. Belzung. — The 

 author has shown conclusively that within the cell it is possible 

 to produce artificial crystals of considerable size. His resume, 

 stated at considerable length by him, is condensed in the follow- 

 ing shorter statement : 



(1) All these crystallizations can be produced by the simple 

 means of placing living tissues in pure glycerine. This reagent 

 produces an exosmosis more rapid than that of the crystallizable 

 substance dissolved in the water. From this process the sap is 

 carried to the point of saturation and must undergo an intracel- 

 lular precipitation. 



(2) The most abundant principles which are contained in young 

 plants which he has studied are asparagine, leucine, and neutral 

 sulphate of potassium. The two amides crystallize in the cells 

 simultaneously with the greatest facility. In Lupinus luteus, as- 

 paragine, tyrosine, and sulphate of calcium are produced. The 

 gypsum crystallizes in the tissues, for Cicer, xanthine and calcium 

 sulphate. Xanthine has been hitherto unknown as a product of 

 the normal activity of the plant. It crystallizes clearly in the 

 cells, in very delicate filamentous forms. In Cucurbita pepo, as- 

 paragine and potassium nitrate, can be very easily made to crys- 

 tallize in all these cases. 



(3) The metamorphosis of protein and saline matters under 

 these conditions is almost exactly like that which takes place in 

 the ripening of a seed, so that we have really artificial aleurone 

 grains formed, much as in a ripened seed. 



(4) What is the mechanism of the formation of these different 

 products ? Certain of the amides are produced from albuminoid 

 matters by dilute acids or alkalies, as a consequence of the action 

 of particular ferments, diastatic or peptonizing. So far as the 

 mineral products, the nitrates and sulphates, are concerned, little 

 can be said positively. The nitrates of germination, lor example, 

 are comparable with those salts of the same composition which 

 result from bacterial fermentation of ammoniacal compounds, and 

 the same remark applies to the sulphates of germination, g. l. g. 



10. On the Aeration of Solid Tissues; Henri Devatjx. — (1) 

 The internal atmosphere of all solid tissues contains a notable 

 proportion of oxygen, in certain cases pretty nearly that which 

 exists in pure air. 



(2) The proportion of carbonic acid is in general feeble. 



(3) The proportion of nitrogen is often different from that 

 which exists in pure air, sometimes less, often more. 



(4) The total pressure of the internal atmosphere differs from 

 that of the exterior air, sometimes positively, more often nega- 

 tively, and its ratio is always inverse to the proportion of nitrogen. 



(5) We may consider tubers, tubercles, fleshy fruits, and most 

 solid organs as formed of a mass very porous in its character, 



