390 



Dr. S. H. Vines. 



[May 13, 



obtained which gives a precipitate on boiling, on dilution with water, 

 and on saturation with NaCI : the supernatant saturated XaCl solu- 

 tion also o-ives a precipitate on boiling. 



j3. TThen extracted with saturated XaCl solution, a fluid is obtained 

 which gives a precipitate on boiling and on dilution. 



2. Seeds treated with alcohol Tor with ether and alcohol) : — 

 a. Extracted with 10 per cent. XaCl solution, a fluid is obtained 

 which gives a precipitate on boiling, on dilution, and on saturation ; 

 the supernatant saturated fluid gives a precipitate on boiling and on 

 dilution. 



j3. Extracted with saturated XaCl solution, a fluid is obtained which 

 gives a precipitate on boiling and on dilution. 



From these observations it appears that the ground-substance con- 

 sists of hemialbumose and of two globulins, of which one is soluble 

 and the other insoluble in saturated solution of XaCl or MgS0 4 . The 

 crystalloid consists of a globulin, which is soluble in 10 and 20 per 

 cent. XaCl solutions, but insoluble in saturated XaCl solution; after 

 treatment with alcohol it becomes soluble in saturated XaCl and 

 MgS0 4 solutions. 



Additional Remarks on the Aleurone-Grains of the Blue Lupin. 



After the foregoing results had been obtained, it became necessary 

 to complete the investigation of the grains of the lupin by ascertain- 

 ing the action upon them of saturated XaCl and MgS0 4 solutions. 



I found that the grains dissolved readily in both these fluids, and 

 that their solubility was not affected by treatment with alcohol. The 

 solution, in quantity, gives a precipitate on boiling and on dilution. 



General Remarks. 



The three kinds of aleurone-grains which have been investigated 

 represent three degrees of complexity of composition. In the peony, the 

 whole grain dissolves readily in water ; in the lupin, the grain dissolves 

 only partly in water, the residue being readily soluble in 10 per cent. 

 XaCl solution; in Eicinus there is a morphological as well as a 

 chemical differentiation ; the ground-substance dissolves partly in 

 water and partly in 10 per cent. XaCl solution, and in this respect it 

 resembles the entire grain of the lupin, whereas the crystalloid dis- 

 solves very slowly in 10 per cent. XaCl solution. 



It is by no means easy to give a satisfactory explanation of the 

 entire solubility of the grains of the peony in distilled water, and of 

 those of the lupin in saturated XaCl or MgS0 4 solution. In the 

 grains of the peony the relative proportion of globulin to hemial- 

 bumose is apparently small, and it may perhaps be assumed that the 

 neutral salts in the cells suffice to bring the globulin into temporary 

 solution, so as to cause the entire disintegration of the grains. As 

 regards the lupin, it is clear that the globulin of which the grains 



