458 Messrs. Harden and Paine. Action of Dissolved [Oct. 17, 



Concentrations of alcohol which plasmolyse the cells produce a consider- 

 able increase in the rate of autofermentation. With 20 per cent, the action 

 of the enzyme almost came to an end after about seven hours, at which 

 time 147 c.c. of gas had been collected as against 52 c.c. from the water 

 control. The weaker concentrations of alcohol at first produced an inhibitory 

 effect upon the rate. After a short time, however, the rate increased, and 

 then slightly exceeded that of the water control. 



Eventually, after eight days, the volume of gas yielded from each, with 

 the exception of that in presence of 20 per cent, alcohol, was practically 

 identical and approximately equal to 200 c.c. 



