Tyrosine in Diseased Pedipalps

Abstract

THE value of X-ray methods in the identification of minute quantities of crystalline substances is well demonstrated in the following example. Dr. E. Warren has been studying part of the collection of Pedipalps (arachnids related to the scorpions) in the British Museum (Natural History), and in two series of Hypoctonus formosus Butler, from Further India, he has found evidence of a fungus disease (actino-mycosis), which had affected at least 70 per cent of the specimens. Associated with the fungus centres, which are scattered throughout the tissues of the host, there are yellowish-white spherules measuring up to ½ mm. in diameter. These spherules are made up of radiating, birefringent needles which are probably pseudomorphous after the radiating fibres and hyphal tubes of an Actinomyces.