26 Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. 



23. " On the absence of a cane sugar inverting enzyme in the 

 stomach": GRAHAM LUSK. 



It was shown by Professor Lusk that free hydrochloric acid and 

 not an enzyme caused the inversion of cane sugar in the stomach. 



24. " A new head holder for rabbits," with demonstration : 

 FREDERIC S. LEE. 



Professor Lee described and demonstrated the use of a head 

 holder, devised by Mr. John T. Hoyt, showing a new universal 

 clamping device. 



25. " The action of potassium cyanid upon the unfertilized 

 egg " (review) : HOLMES C. JACKSON. 



Loeb and Lewis were the first to note the fact that unfertilized 

 eggs (of the sea-urchin), when placed in n/iooo KCN solution, 

 retain their capability of fertilization much longer than when 

 suspended in normal sea water. This was ascribed to the action 

 of the KCN in inhibiting intracellular autolytic processes which 

 lead normally to maturation and finally death. The bactericidal 

 action of KCN was excluded, as the result of experiments in which 

 eggs apparently died as rapidly in sterile as in putrid sea water. 



Gorham and Tower's experiments in the same connection 

 indicated, on the other hand, that the effect of KCN was entirely 

 bactericidal. The sterile eggs retained their capacity for fertiliza- 

 tion longer under absolutely sterile conditions than when placed in 

 n/iooo KCN. 



As the matter now stands there are two almost identical series of 

 sterilization experiments by two pairs of investigators, with results 

 diametrically opposed to each other. Critically considered, the 

 more carefully conducted experiments seem to be those by Gorham 

 and Tower ; and in the lack of further evidence in favor of an 

 intracellular action of KCN in this connection, we must conclude 

 that the destruction of the bacteria by the KCN removes the condi- 

 tion which causes the death of the cell, and in the absence of which 

 the eggs retain their potential power for growth after fertilization. 



26. Results of recent investigations in proteid chemistry (re- 

 view) : PH(EBUS A. LEVENE. 



Recent work on the chemistry of the proteid molecule has 

 furnished explanation of many biological phenomena. Thus in 



