ri4 Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinhurgli. [jan. 6, 
3. The secretion acts upon starch paste with the formation of 
dextrose. The presence of dextrose was proved by the formation 
of brownish red cuprous oxide from Fehling’s solution. 
4. The secretion dissolves coagulated albumin (hard white of 
an egg). 
5. Tannic acid gives a white precipitate from the secretion. 
6. When a few drops of the secretion of the organ were examined 
chemico-microscopically, the following reactions were observed : — 
On running in between the slide and the cover-slip a solution of 
iodine in potassium iodide, a brown deposit is obtained ; and on 
running in concentrated nitric acid upon another slide containing 
the secretion, yellow xanthoproteic acid was formed. These reac- 
tions show the presence of albumin in the secretion of the organ in 
question. 
7. The presence of albumin in the secretion was further confirmed 
by the excellent tests of Dr E. Palm [Zeitsclirift fur Analytische 
Ghemie, vol. xxvi. part 1). 
8. The soluble zymase (ferment) secreted by cellular tubes was 
extracted according to the Wittich-Kistiakowsky method (Pfliiger’s 
ArcMv filr Physioloyie, vol. ix. pp. 438-459). The isolated fer- 
ment converts fibrin (from the muscles of a young mouse) into 
leucin and tyrosin. 
9. The albumins in the secretions are not converted into tauro- 
cholic acid or glycocholic acid ; for not the slightest traces of these 
biliary acids could be detected by the Pettenkofer and other tests. 
10. The secretion contains approximately 4 per cent, of solids, 
of which we could detect sodium. The slight residue (solids) 
effervesced on the addition of a dilute acid. 
11. No glycogen was found in the organ or its secretion. From 
these investigations the so-called “ liver ” of the Araneina is similar 
in physiological functions to the pancreas of the Vertehrata. 
3. The Diverticida of the Asteridea. 
The saccular diverticula of Uraster ruhens (fig. 3) have also been 
examined by similar reactions to, those applied to the reactions of 
the ‘‘ hepatic cells” of ih^Araneina^ and with the same results. 
Therefore, we conclude that the diverticula of the Asteridea are 
pancreatic in function. 
