56 the formation OF PROTEIDS in plant-cells. 
2%, that of Glycirrhiza 0,8% (Plis son) , that of Scorzonera 0,6% 
( Gorup), Potatoes 3% ( E. Schulze). It was found in the root of 
Symphytum, in Lactuca, in the shoots of Asparagus , of Humulus, 
and of Bambusa (Kozai) in the leaves of Atropa * 2) and in the 
leaf-buds of Ulmus effusa, Spiraea sorhifolia, Sp.opulifolia, Populus 
tremula, Quercus pedunculata, 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) 4 5 and E. Schulze 
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 connected with a decrease of protein-matter S'* 
Kellner 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 Emmerling 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. Schulze). 
Boussingault 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 1,6 y% 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. 8) The absence of light brings on a 
gradual decrease of carbohydrates, respiration going on and 
x) Bulletin Vol. I, No. 7 of the Agricultural Dep. of the Imp. University of 
Tokio. 
2) Husemann and Hilger, Pflanzenchemie Vol. I. 
3) Botan. Zeitg. 1878, p. 208. 
4) Landw. Jahrb. 1888, p. 702. 
5) Ibid. 187g, p, 243. 
6) Landw. Versuchsstat. 24, 113. 
7) Compt. rend. 58, 881 a. 917. 
8) E. Schulze , Landw. Versuchsstat. 36. According to O. Müller asparagin is 
also formed if the growing parts alone are kept deprived of light (Ibid. 33, 310). 
