41 
also the oxidation of certain organic materials contained in the leaves, 
was possible.t | 
It was found that of the 25 cc. of baryta water applied in the two 
control cases there were neutralized 3.1 ‘and 3.4 ec., respectively. The ° 
other results were as follows: 
Baryta wa- 
Compound. nes ter neu- 
’ | tralized. 
| Per cent. ce. 
SOGIMUMIIR TINSEL TOL. oe oe ee ae ee eee aero eines tere m sre lg cele aie /arcis =ysisis s shawls rere cms 6 Be 
SOG TULA Carb LC aie oe ee eet eet ee eae need et tohratn so Buisans Ages ae vee bs se 6 5.0 
SSCUCLNURNENY Gl GIES ae eS ye Se ree oS Bator Sb cid cis wwre,e lees 6 9.1 
EUR VT OSTING ie ors foo es ree ee ne ert eee Sore al laa Sate bcs swiss ealeice ee 1 4.0 
TCOGETE STE Lalas eee ei ee erator ofan aie as isle jaeiwlee niche ajes.s.0 «2 1 3.5 
SOSID Ros sa eee eee ee re eres a car's clactet ona. geek ees et wens 10 S75 
GUC OSC eS ark eae ae ee eee ee eae a oisvasatoladeie, cles oS carel sie eSth ve emule nide 20 6.2 
During the one hour the test lasted no distinct traces of ammonia 
were produced either from tyrosine or nicotine. These compounds 
might, however, show less resistance under the influence of other 
oxidation processes of a considerable activity as, for instance, in the 
fermenting of the tobacco piles. The amount of carbonic acid pro- 
duced in this short time was also but small, and may represent a mere 
by-product of partial oxidations. Some oxidation in the above cases 
can only be assumed for glucose and citric acid, since the other num- 
bers differ too little from those of the control case. | 
Another special test showed that an aqueous solution of 0.5 per cent 
olucose, in presence of 1 per cent phenol as an antiseptic, is not changed 
by #-catalase at the ordinary temperature within a fortnight. The 
solution was kept in a large closed flask in contact with much air, and 
was repeatedly titrated with Fehling’s reagent. The result may differ, 
however, when the mixture is exposed to the air on a porous surface 
and in presence of an alkaline reaction. 
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF CATALASE. 
There does not exist a group of organisms or any organ or even a 
single vegetable or animal cell that does not contain some catalase, as 
far as the observations of the writer go. This general occurrence of 
catalase in the organized world can not be accidental and must have a 
certain significance. Since the destruction of hydrogen peroxid is 
the most characteristic property of catalase, can this property be of 
physiological value? Is there any production of hydrogen peroxid in 
the living cells, and, if so, is the destruction of this product of advan- 
tage to the cells? The catalase of the cells would energetically destroy 
any trace of this compound immediately after its formation (see also 
‘By the previous extraction with water, fatty matter, nucleo-proteids, and a por- 
tion of the coloring matter could not, of course, be removed. 
