K1N0SIIITA ; CONSUMPTION OF 



to stop in it, while the growth of the shoots above the cotyle- 

 dons was now more marked than before. It may be mentioned 

 that most of the leaves of the shoots cultivated in glycerol 

 solution were somewhat larger than those grown in methyl 

 alcohol. Microscopical examination exhibited now a very 

 great difference between the amount of asparagine present in 

 the control shoots, and that present in the other cases. Direct 

 tests for the presence of dissolved reserve albumen, made upon an 

 aqueous extract by addition to it of nitric acid, showed that there 

 was none present in the control case and much present in the 

 shoots cultivated in sugar and glycerol. We see, therefore, that 

 the decrease of asparagine is coincident with an increase of the 

 dissolved proteids. Microscopical tests made it further highly 

 probable that the amount of other amido-products was con- 

 tinuously decreasing, while tests for sugar with Fehling's 

 solution revealed its presence in the shoots grown in glycerol, but 

 neither in those grown in methyl alcohol nor in the control case. 



Soon afterwards, on April 27th, a final measurement of 

 dimensions, and a quantitative determination of asparagine were 

 made. The stem without the hypocotylous part had a length of 

 4-14 cm., in the control case No. 2; a length, of 11-ig cm. 

 in glycerol, and of 8-19 cm. in methyl alcohol. 



The quantity of asparagine was as follows : 









Asparagine 



Date of 



Dry matter 



Asparagine 



per cent in dry 



determination. 



in grammes. 



in grammes. 



matter. 



Control shoots No. 1. April 1st. 



3.966 



0.853 



21.5 



11 n No. 2. ,, 27th. 



2.948 



0-847 



28.7 



„ „ No. 3. „ „ 



3.611 



0.906 



24.0 



Shoots in methyl alcohol ,, „ 



2.698 



0.511 



18.9 



„ glycerol^) „ „ 



4.590 



0.629 



13-7 



(1) For determining the amount of asparagine in those shoots which had been 

 kept in the dilute glucose solution, the material was not sufficient, but I micros- 

 copically examined the shoots for asparagine on the 8th May, (when some of the 

 leaves showed brownish spots, indicating a gradual decay), and found a not 

 inconsiderable amount of it still present. I do not doubt that if we could 

 introduce more concentrated sugar solution into the cells of the shoots, the shoots 

 would continue to grow in the dark until all the asparagine had been transformed into 

 proteids or protoplasm, provided the necessary mineral salts had been also 

 introduced. 



