206 Report oF DEPARTMENT OF BACTERIOLOGY OF THE 
cellulase. This is not free from objection, however, since their 
term pectocellulose was applied to a hypothetical compound 
made up of non-hydrolyzable cellulose elements and _ pectic 
elements which pass into solution under the influence of this 
enzym. ‘his name if adopted would suggest an enzym capable 
of action on both these components alike, 
All things considered, we favor the name pectinase, which 
was suggested by Bourquelot and Herissey, as already ex- 
plained. An objection to this name is that it was originally 
applied to the enzym which hydrolyzes pectose. Later it was 
found that this same extract hydrolyzes the coagulum, or pectic 
clot. It was inferred that this latter action is due to the 
Same enzym as the former. Although this was not demon- 
strated, it seems to us sufficiently probable to justify its ac- 
ceptance as a satisfactory working hypothesis, and if so this 
name must be accepted for the enzym under discussion. As 
more broadly defined, then, pectinase is capable of hydrolyzing 
pectose when in.selution so that it will no longer yield a clot 
under the influence of pectase, and also of hydrolyzing the 
pectic coagulum and the pectic elements in the cell wall, viz., 
the middle lamella and parts of the inner lamellae of certain 
tissues. As a further justification of the acceptance of the 
name pectinase in the broader sense we note a tendency in this 
direction in certain writings which have appeared since its 
promulgation.”” 
Bourquelot and Herissey did not so define their enzym as to 
exclude its action on hemicellulose; in fact, the barley malt 
solution with which their work was done does so act. As 
already explained, this hydrolytic action on hemicellulose pre- 
dominates in the cytolytic action of taka-diastase, although 
action on the pectic compound occurs also. Since we have. 
made some observations upon this taka preparation we will 
base our discussion on that. Two explanations are available 
for action such as occurs here, and in like cases where there is 
solution of both of these wall elements, The first is that only 
*° See use by Lepoutre (1902), also Oppenheimer (1901:193). - 
