Stability of Carbonic Oxide and Oxalic Acid in the Animal Organism. By G. GAGLIO (Chem. Centr., 1887, 1514 (from Arch. exp. Path., 22, 235).-From the results of a series of respiration experiments, the author shows that carbonic oxide undergoes no oxidation when respired. He also states in opposition to Porkowsky that carbonic oxide is not oxidised by blood outside the body.

Oxalic acid dissolved in pig's blood and circulated through pig's kidneys for several hours only showed a loss of 7 per cent., a loss which occurred when oxalic acid was simply added to the kidney

without circulation.

The same result was obtained in feeding experiments, the whole of the oxalic acid, with the exception of 7 to 9 per cent., being recovered from the urine. J. P. L.

Coagulation of the Blood. L. C. WOOLDRIDGE (Zeit. Biol., 24, 562-563). In reply to the criticisms of Krüger (this vol., p. 305) Wooldridge states that he has never questioned the fact that leucocytes bring about coagulation in extravascular plasma, but he again states that as soon as they are introduced into the circulating blood they lose this property. W. D. H.

Chromatology of Sponges. C. A. MACMUNN (Journ. Physiol., 9, 1-25).--Out of the 12 species of British sponges examined, 10 (enumerated) were found to contain chlorophyll; Krukenberg and other observers have figured the dominant chlorophyll band in eight others. Probably Krukenberg (Grundzüge einer vergleich. Physiol. der Farbstoffe, 1884) used solutions which were too dilute to show the remaining bands, or examined only thin layers of the solutions. Lipochromes occur in nearly all sponges, and a histohæmatin in seven of the sponges examined. A pigment resembling a floridine (a class of red pigments described by Krukenberg) occurs in Halichondria rosea, in addition to chlorophyll, a histohæmatin, and a lipochrome. A uranidine (a class of yellow pigments described by Krukenberg) occurs in Grantia coriacea, in addition to chlorophyll and a lipochrome. This uranidine, like Krukenberg's aplysinofulvin (one of the five pigments of Aplysina), and others of the same class was changed by boiling to dark-green. With regard to the chlorophyll present in so many sponges, it was found to resemble plant chlorophyll very closely. The lipochrome constituent or constituents, however, reacted differently from the lipochrome constituents of plant chlorophyll, as it remained unchanged by the action of iodine in iodide of potassium, and the fractional method did not separate the chlorophyll constituents (Hansen's "chlorophyll-green" and "chlorophyll-yellow ") so completely as in the case of plant chlorophyll. In these two points, it resembles enterochlorophyll (MacMunn, Abstr., 1885, 1242), and proves that the chlorophyll is of purely animal origin. Microscopic Search for unicellular algæ, moreover, yielded negative results. The fact that in sponges lipochromes so often accompany chlorophyll, and sometimes replace it, would go to show that the step from a lipochrome to a chlorophyll is not a great one; and it is highly probable that these pigments are concerned in the formation of fatty

matters perhaps from the waste carbonic anhydride given off during the katabolic changes in the tissues, and from the water in which they are bathed; carbohydrates are perhaps similarly formed. This would coincide with the views of Schunck (Brit. Assoc. Rep., 1887), who regards chlorophyll as a respiratory pigment, but probably a carbonic acid-carrier, not an oxygen-carrier. In sponges, the histohæmatin, when present, has probably the function of an oxygen-carrier.

A chart of spectra with measurements accompanies the paper. W. D. H. Composition of Cow's Milk. By P. VIETH (Analyst, 13, 46— 49). The analysis of 12,663 samples of milk, taken throughout the year direct from the railway cans upon their arrival at the dairy, showed an average of 3.82 per cent. of fat and 12.94 per cent. of total solids. In addition, 2,948 samples were taken by inspectors during the delivery of the milk to the customers. These gave a general average of 12.89 per cent. of total solids.

An investigation of the changes taking place in the milk during delivery to customers, was made by taking a sample from the can before sending it out, and also one from the small quantity of milk left in the can upon its return from its round. In 17.6 per cent. of the cases, the latter contained more fat (0·1 to 0.34 per cent.) than the former. It is not stated whether the milk was drawn off from the bottom of the can or dipped from the top.

M. J. S.

Formation of the Colouring Matter of Bile. By J. LATSCHENBERGER (Monatsh., 9, 52-92).-Experiments made with horses are described in detail, and give the following results:-The colouring matter of bile is derived from the colouring matter of the blood with simultaneous elimination of a dark pigment containing iron (melanin). The decomposition takes place in the tissues as well as outside the cells. This dissociation of the hæmoglobin into pigments free from iron (chloleglobin) and pigments containing iron, occur both in the single blood corpuscles and in the conglomerates; in the former, the rate of decomposition is irregular, which seems to depend on the varying age of the single red corpuscles. With crystallised hæmoglobin there is no difference in time required for the decomposition of single portions of the injected mass.

The results of the microscopic examination of the various preparations are shown in coloured diagrams. N. H. M.

Influence of the Secretion of Gastric Juice on the Quantity of Chlorine in Urine. By G. STICKER (Chem. Centr., 1887, 1561— 1562, from Berl. Klin. W., 24, 768-771).-A rich secretion of gastric juice induces transitorily a diminution of the chlorides in urine, if conditions for its retention in the stomach or its secretion from the organism are given. The hourly secretion of chlorine increases gradually and progressively after the chief meal, and slowly diminishes again after six to seven hours. With the increase of chlorine, the activity of the urine lessens, and even changes into a strongly alkaline reaction. Towards night time, a strong decrease of the secretion of chlorine takes place. From the results of the experi

ments no direct relation between peptic digestion and secretion of phosphates in urine can be recognised. In urine which showed an alkaline reaction, a turbidity from phosphates was regularly produced after a short time. The mean acidity of the whole 24 hours' urine is no higher on days with paroxysms of excessive acidity than on normal days. J. P. L.

Phosphates in Urine in Different Diseases. By L. VANNI and E. PONS (Chem. Centr., 1887, 1526, from Ann. Chim. Farm., 87, 259-268).—The authors advance the following conclusion with all reserve-As a general rule, the amount of phosphate secreted in the urine diminishes in diseases of the brain and spinal cord, and frequently diminishes in cases of neurosis. J. P. L.

Urine Reaction. By ADUCCO (Arch. Pharm. [3] 25, 931, from Ann. Chim. Farm., 1887, 369). From experiments made on dogs which were compelled to run until exhausted by means of specially constructed apparatus, it was found that as the fatigue increased, the originally acid urine became gradually less acid, neutral and finally alkaline. During rest, the reverse progress went on. The alkaline reaction was caused by the presence of carbonates of the fixed alkalis and of ammonia, the relative amounts of which were, however, not constant. These carbonates are the products of reactions proceeding in the tissues, and it must be concluded that during production of fatigue, such substances more especially are used up as yield carbonic anhydride. The amount of urea present in the urine during the period of fatigue is decidedly less than before or after that period.

J. T.

Physiological Action of Alkalis and Alkaline Earths. By CRUCI (Arch. Pharm. [3], 25, 931, from Ann. Chim. Farm., 1887, 353). Both the alkalis and the alkaline earths increase the blood pressure and the power of the heart, and make the pulse slower but fuller and stronger, hence are stimulants of the circulatory organs. Although the symptoms are uniform, the mechanism affected by the various elements differs considerably. Potassium, rubidium, and cæsium directly affect the muscular apparatus, sodium and magnesium act on the nerve elements, lithium, barium, calcium, and strontium act in both ways. These considerations show that the alkalis and alkaline earths act as stimulants on the circulatory system; this is the more remarkable when it is remembered that the acids in general, and also the oxides of the remaining metals, exert a more or less paralytic action on that system.

J. T.

Antiseptic Properties of a-Naphthol. By J. MAXIMOVITCH (Compt. rend., 106, 366-368).-a-Naphthol is insoluble in cold. water, but water at 70° dissolves 0.04 per cent. Alcohol of 40 per cent. dissolves 10 grams of a-naphthol per litre. The quantity required to prevent the development of microbes varies from 0.01 to 004 per cent., according to the nature of the microbe and the nidus. a-Naphthol has only one-third the poisonous action of B-naphthol, and only one seven-hundredth of that of mercuric iodide. The fatal dose

VOL. LIV.

2 t

for a man of 65 kilos. would be about 585 grams; if administered by subcutaneous injection the dose would be less.

a-Naphthol is superior to B-naphthol by reason of its greater antiseptic properties and its feebler toxic action.

C. H. B.

Poisoning by Carbonic Oxide. By N. GRÉHANT (Compt. rend., 106, 289). The blood absorbs carbonic oxide from an atmosphere containing only 0.02 per cent. of the gas. If the atmosphere contains 01 per cent. of carbonic oxide, half the hæmoglobin in the blood will combine with this gas. 100 c.c. of the blood of a dog poisoned by an atmosphere containing 0.1 per cent. of carbonic oxide contained the following gases:

On treating the poisoned blood with acetic acid at 100°, it evolved 144 c.c. of carbonic oxide.

The analysis of the gases from the blood is of great value in supposed cases of fatal poisoning by carbonic oxide.

C. H. B.

Toxic Action of Bases produced by Alcoholic Fermentation. By R. WURTZ (Compt. rend., 106, 363-364).-The base, C,H10N2, isolated by Morin (this vol., p. 572) exerts a moderate toxic action, and produces general stupefaction and reduced sensibility, with frequent micturition and dilatation of the pupil, which becomes insensitive to light. These symptoms are followed by coma and death. When administered to a rabbit by subcutaneous injection, the fatal dose is 1 gram per kilo. C. H. B.

Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture.

New Lactic Acid Ferment occurring in Malt Wort. By P. LINDNER (Chem. Centr., 1887, 1507, from Centr. Bakteriol, 2, 340— 342).- Cultivations of this sarcina formed organisms which behave similarly to pediococcus from beer. In neutral malt extract, it produces a sediment and cloudiness as well as a strong acid reaction after cultivation for 24 hours at 41°. The acid is lactic. It also changes the colour of the nutrient solution. The organism does not grow actively on potato, only a thin, microscopical film being formed. It grows very well on gelatin in the absence of air.

Although most of the sarcina isolated from beer have the power of forming lactic acid, none possess it to such a degree as this organism isolated from malt wort. The author provisionally calls it Pediococcus acidi lactici. J. P. L.

Influence of Certain Rays of the Solar Spectrum on Root Absorption and on the Growth of Plants. By A. B. GRIFFITHS and MRS. GRIFFITHS (Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., 123, 125-129).-Mustard and bean plants grown in calcareous soil, to which had been added a definite amount of ferrous sulphate, were exposed daily to various portions of the solar spectrum. Incineration of the plants showed that the greatest amount of ferric oxide was contained in those exposed to the yellow-green rays D-E, under the influence of which rays also the greatest amount of oxygen is evolved. Examination of the plant for sulphur as representing the albuminoïds, which must have derived their sulphur from the ferrous sulphate, showed that the maximum of albuminoids was attained under the influence of the rays D-E. E. W. P.

Plants Free from Chlorophyll acting like Chlorophyll-containing Plants. By F. HUPPE (Chem. Centr., 1887, 1512, from Ntf. Vers. zu Wiesbaden, 60, 244-245).-From researches on the biology of bacteria, it appears that the qualitative differences which exist between bacteria and other plants can be referred, as regards their function, to some common origin. There is sufficient evidence to show that so far as the action of light is concerned, gradation exists between functionally undifferentiated protoplasm and ordinary chlorophyll.

The author corroborates Heraeus's statement that a nitrifying organism exists which can synthesise carbohydrates from carbonic anhydride.

The assimilation of carbonic anhydride does not therefore appear to be dependent necessarily on a specially differentiated part of protoplasm like chlorophyll. J. P. L.

Respiration of Yeast Cells at Different Temperatures. By GREHANT and QUINQUAUD (Compt. rend., 106, 609-610). The amount of carbonic anhydride evolved and of oxygen absorbed by yeast cells in pure water in contact with a known volume of air was determined at different temperatures. The total amount of carbonic anhydride produced and of oxygen absorbed increases with rise of temperature from 0° to 46:3°, and the ratio of carbonic anhydride to oxygen also increases. It follows that the respiration of yeast is not analogous to that of mushrooms or of plants containing chlorophyll, since, according to Bonnier and Mangin, the ratio of carbonic anhydride to oxygen does not vary with the temperature in these cases.

C. H. B.

Presence of Saccharose in Unripe Potatoes. By E. SCHULZE and T. SELIWANOFF (Landw. Versuchs-Stat., 1887, 403-407).-When the unripe tubers are dried and extracted with 90 per cent. alcohol, an extract is obtained which yields a saccharate with strontium hydroxide. The saccharose from this saccharate the authors show is identical with ordinary cane-sugar. H. Müller (Landw. Jahrbuch., 1882, 774) considered that saccharose was an intermediate product between starch and glucose, and it is contended that the research now published supports this theory. E. W. P.