86 



K. ASO. 



are contained in the spores ; but this question must be deferred 

 to future investigation. 



3. Ethereal Extract. 



The ethereal extract was obtained by the extraction of 

 dried spores (1) with absolute ether in Soxhlet's extraction 

 apparatus. After evaporating the ether, the residue was weighed 

 in the usual way. The ethereal solution was colourless, but the 

 residue was slightly yellow. In this extract, there were contain- 

 ed cholesterin and lecithin besides the common fats. About 

 17 grams of the dry spores 00 were extracted with ether, and 

 after evaporation, the residue was saponified with alcoholic 

 potash, and the alcohol evaporated. The residue thus obtained 

 was treated with water and then put into a cylinder. Some 

 ether was poured into this cylinder, and after shaking repeatedly, 

 the etherial solution was drawn off with a pipette. The evapo- 

 ration-residue of this ethereal solution was dissolved with some 

 warm alcohol and left for some time. Some tabular crytals 

 were observed in the alcoholic solution under the microscope. 

 These crystals were dissolved in chloroform, and to it some 

 concentrated sulphuric acid was added, whereby a red colour- 

 ation was produced, and upon adding some water a green 

 precipitate 00 appeared. 



The presence of lecithin was confirmed in the following 

 manner : several grams of spores (4) were separatel}' extracted 

 with ether and alcohol, and the two were mixed. After heating 

 the evaporation-residue with a mixture of sodium carbonate and 

 some potassium nitrate, the ash was dissolved in nitric acid and 

 the presence of phosphoric acid in the solution was tested with 

 ammonium molybdate. 



4. Alcoholic Extract. 



After extracting with ether, the spores (3) were extracted 



( 1 ) The first sample. 



(2) The third sample. 



(3) E. Gerard, Jahresber. f. Agric. Chem. XIX. 1S96. S. 274. 



(4) The second sample. 



(5) The first sample. 



