70 8 On the Theory of Phosphorescence . [December, 
sufficient to reproduce the luminosity. In the same category 
as the phosphorescence of the aldehyds falls the observation 
of Lachowitz on the phosphorescence of phenanthraquinon 
in an alcoholic solution of potassa. Here there is first 
formed an aldehyd-like body which behaves like the aldehyds 
in general. 
It is very probable that fats containing the glycerides of 
the acids C M H 2 — 20 2 adtivate oxygen in the same manner. 
It is known that ricinoleic easily yields cenanthyl-aldehyd ; 
but the acids of the general formula above mentioned yield, 
with potassa, salts of two distinct acids, whilst hydrogen is 
set free. It is possible that under the influence of an alco- 
holic solution of potassa these acids attract the elements of 
water, and form — even at low temperatures — salts of the 
fatty acids and aldehyds. 
The aldehyd thus formed undergoes in its nascent state a 
further adtion of the alkalies. Whether this mode of the 
adtivation of oxygen can be always identified with the origin 
of adtive oxygen in the living organism cannot be positively 
asserted. Still it is probable that such processes really 
occur in the living organism, since in it we find bodies of an 
aldehyd-like nature, fats, &c., and alkaline bodies which may 
play the same part as potassa. Such alkali may also be 
able to adt in other media as it would in an alcoholic 
solution. 
The question remains still open whether the adtivation of 
oxygen by hydrogen is the sole or the main mode of such 
adtivation in organisms ? 
Nencki replies to this question in the negative, and 
Schmiedeberg puts forward a new hypothesis of physiolo- 
gical combustion, regarding the assumption of the origin of 
adtive oxygen in the organism as needless, and calling at- 
tention to the influence of the tissues upon the bodies 
undergoing oxidation. From Schmiedeberg’s experiments 
it appears that within the tissues oxidation proceeds much 
more rapidly than without them. Prof. Radziszewski, how- 
ever, remarks that — 
1. If we pour into a narrow test-tube a luminous solution 
of lophine it is most brilliant where it touches the glass, and 
here the oxidation is strongest. The condensation of gases, 
and consequently of oxygen, upon the surface of solid bodies, 
which is still more marked in capillary tubes, has a favour- 
able influence upon the rapidity of oxidation. 
2 . When fluids come in contadt with each other in very 
narrow openings, slits, &c., there arise eledtro-capillary 
currents. 
