The results obtained in these attempts to effect a still further increase in the yield by the addition of free acid during growth as compared to its addition before inoculation are not conclusive. While experiments 28 and 29 would lead one to suspect that the optimum hydrogen-ion concentration for growth varies during the growth of the organism, experiments 30 and 31 do not seem to bear out this assumption. On the other hand, it must be admitted that the procedure followed in experiments 30 and 31 is not wholly comparable to that in experiments 28 and 29 with respect to the degree of the variations in acidity, imposed as they are in one instead of several days. I believe, therefore, that the results of experiments 28 and 29 should be given greater weight than those of experiments 30 and 31.The contention of Nikitinsky (48) that A. niger eliminates a "stimulative" substance into the nutrient solution whose action is frequently inhibited by excessive increase in acidity of the cultures seems to me unproven. A glance at experiment 2 (of Nikitinsky) shows that the acidified cultures produce a greater yield (first harvest). Reference, moreover, to experiments 6, 7, 8, 9, and II indicates that in the majority of cases (see, however, Penicillium griseum grown on NH 4NO g, experiments 7 and II) when the acid formed in the first culture has been neutralized, the resulting yield in the second culture does not exceed that in the first. On the other hand, the yields for the second cultures, without neutralization of the acid formed by the first, show as a rule an acceleration of growth. The growth accelerations usually obtained, through addition of excess CaCOg, while without doubt in some cases due to a reduction in excessive acidity (experiment 23, culture 3) are in the majority of cases due to other causes, since previous observers (Wehmer,68; Butkewitsch,8) agree that a decrease in growth always occurs.. We may turn now to some results obtained by the use of a method of purification of the culture medium. The marked increase in yield following the addition of increased amounts of magnesium sulphate suggested the question whether the apparent action of the magnesium sulphate is due to