of Edinburgh , Session 1885-86. 
527 
6. On the Partition of Energy between Systems of 
Colliding Spheres. By Professor Tait. 
7. On the Effect of Pressure on the Maximum Density 
Point of Water. By Professor Tait. 
8. Chemical and Microscopical Studies on the Action of 
Salicylic Acid on Ferments. By Dr A. B. Griffiths, 
F.RS.E., E.C.S. (Bond, and Paris), Lecturer on 
Chemistry, Technical College, Manchester, &c. 
My attention has been occupied of late with a chemical and 
microscopical study on the action of various compounds on the 
lower forms of plant-life. I have already presented to the Chemical 
Society of London a paper on the Action of a Solution of Ferrous 
Sulphate on certain Parasitic Diseases which attack our Crops. (This 
paper will he published presently.) I wish here to detail some 
studies on the action of salicylic acid (C^IIgOg) on certain 
ferments (organised and unorganised). A solution of salicylic 
acid was prepared containing 0*2 gram, of the acid in 1000 c.c. of 
water. 
A drop of yeast was placed upon a slide under the microscope, 
and then a few drops of the above salicylic acid solution was run 
in between the slide and cover-slip, when I found that it had no 
action on the true alcoholic ferment, for I was unable to stain the 
protoplasm of the cells with a solution of eosin, showing that the 
protoplasm was not dead. But, when I operated in a like manner 
on certain other organised ferments, namely, Mycoderma aceti , 
Bacterium lactis, and the Butyric bacillus , it was very different. 
On running in the same salicylic acid solution upon slides contain- 
ing these various ferments they were quickly destroyed. What 
was observed under the highest powers of the microscope was that 
the salicylic acid acts chemically upon the cellulose, or the form of 
cellulose making the external walls of these lowly organisms. It 
was evident that the acid dissolved the cellulose wall, and in some 
cases I could see that the cellulose wall had been perforated by the 
acid solution. 
