ig8 
KINOSHITA ; 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 11-19 cm. 
in glycerol, and of 8-19 cm. in methyl alcohol. 
The quantity of asparagine was as follows : 
Date of 
determination. 
Dry matter 
in grammes. 
Asparagine 
in grammes. 
Asparagine 
per cent in dry 
matter. 
Control shoots No. 1. 
April ist. 
3.966 
0.853 
21.5 
,, ,, No. 2. 
„ 27th. 
2.948 
0*847 
28.7 
>> »> No. 3» 
n n 
3.611 
0.906 
24.0 
Shoots in methyl alcohol 
n n 
2.6g8 
0.511 
18.9 
„ „ glycerol(i) 
m n 
4*590 
0.629 
x 3*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. 
