56 THR FORMATION OF PROTEIDS IN PLANT-CELLS. 



2%, that of Glycirrhiza 0,8% (Plisson), that of Scorzoncra 0,6% 

 (Gorup), Potatoes 3% (E. Schulzc). It was found in the root of 

 Symphytum, in Lactuca, in the shoots of Asparagus, of Hamulus, 

 and of Bambusa (Kozai) :) in the leaves of Atropa 2) and in the 

 leaf-buds of Ulmus effusa, Spiraea sorbifolia, Sp.opulifolia, Populus 

 trcmula, Qucrcus pednnculata, Lonicera tatarica, Tilia parvifolia, 

 Alnus (Borodin). Buds of Betula and of different conifers show 

 normally no asparagin, but soon after the cut twigs are placed in 

 water. Borodin found that, under this condition, also flowers, 

 stems and parts of fruits can form asparagin, 3 ' and E. Schulzc 

 found the same with twigs of Fagus sylvatica, Populus nigra, Vitis 

 vinifera, Acer, Platanus; Betula formed after 10 days 2,0% as- 

 paragin. Kisser demonstrated that this production of asparagin 

 is connectedwith a decrease of protein-matter , A) 



Kcllner observed, that in young grass often more than 30% 

 of the nitrogen is present in form of amido-compounds, especially 

 as asparagin and glutamin. 5) According to Emmcrling young 

 leaves of Vicia are richer in asparagin than old ones, and shoots, 

 buds and newly formed fruits contain sometimes considerable 

 quantities. 6) Fresh stems of Medicago sativa contain 7 times as 

 much asparagin as the fresh leaves (0,05%). The inner bark 

 (liber) of Platanus contains asparagin, but not that of Quercus, 

 Tilia, or Fraxinus {E. Schulzc). 



Boussingaidt was the first, who found asparagin as a constant 

 product in plants that are deprived of light. 7) Oats, cultivated in 

 pots, if deprived of light for 7 days, yielded 1,67% asparagin of 

 the dry matter, the nitrogen of which corresponds to 60% of the 

 nitrogen of the decomposed protein compounds. Red clover 

 produced after 8 days in the dark 14 times as much asparagin 

 as under normal conditions. S) The absence of light brings on a 

 gradual decrease of carbohydrates, respiration going on and 



1) Bulletin Vol. I, No. 7 of the Agricultural Dep. of the Imp. University of 

 Tokio. 



2) Huscmann and Hllgcr, Pflanzenchemie Vol. I. 



3) Botan. Zeitg. 1878, p. 208. 



4) Landw. Jahrb. 1888, p. 702. 



5) Ibid. 1879, p, 243. 



6) Landw. Versuchsstat. 24, 113. 



7) Compt. rend. 58, 881 a. 917. 



8) E. Schnlze, Landw. Versuchsstat. 36. According to O. Midler asparagin is 

 also formed if the growing parts alone are kept deprived of light (Ibid. 33, 310). 



