268 



Herbage Studies. 



Unzymic Activity of Trif olium repens. 



The method adopted in estimating the enzymic activity was that described 

 in Part XVII of our Studies on Enzyme Action involving the use of the 

 dried leaf material.* 



The following are the results obtained : — 



Enzymic Activity of Trifolium repens. 



Linamarin. : Aniygdalin. Prunasin. j Salicin. 



Rothamsted Park permanent grass plots — 



5 2 



6 



7.... 



Ronmey Marsh — 



Westbroke 



Blacklocks 



Midley Paddock 



Midley (poor) 



Somerset — 



Non-scouring land (Nov. 1, 1912) 



Scouring land (Nov. 9, 1912) 



Non-scouring land (Nov. 9, 1912) 



Armstrong College, County Demonstration 

 Farm 



Kent 



J Lawn . 

 \ Pasture. 



Kitchen End ■ 



Woburn . 

 Cultivated white (Sutton's seed) 











2-5 



12 -0 



17 7 







19 -2 



5 -0 



26 -5 



19 -2 







4-5 



3-0 



18 -2 



4-5 



2-0 



18 -2 



13 -2 



2-2 



17-0 



(average of 4 samples) 



1-0 



2-5 



The striking fact brought out in this Table is that, whereas with one 

 exception all the specimens examined are moderately active towards salicin, 

 the " cultivated " variety alone is practically without action on linamarin 

 and prunasin. This observation is of special interest in connexion with 

 the question raised in Part XVII of our Studies on Enzyme Action. 



Apparently we are in face of differences similar to those which have been 

 discovered in L. corniculatus. 



Should this discovery be confirmed, it is obvious that the object we have in 

 view will have been in part attained, as we shall be in possession of varieties 

 of a plant which is acknowledged to be one of the most valuable constituents 

 of the herbage of pasture land ; it will be all important to ascertain whether 

 the chemical peculiarities already recognised, presented by the two types of 

 the plant, are accompanied by others and are in any way to be correlated, 

 directly or indirectly, with their value as food materials. Hitherto, no 

 distinction has been drawn between them in this respect, the wild form 



* 1 Proc. Eoy. Soc.,' B, vol. 85, p. 363. 



