Hæmerythrin in Priapulus caudatus Lam.

Abstract

WHEN the body wall of Priapulus is punctured, large amounts of a pinkish fluid can be obtained. The cœlomic fluid contains erythrocytes composing about 2 per cent of its total volume. By hæmolysis with distilled water the pigment of the erythrocytes goes into solution. The properties of this solution are similar to those described from studies with hæmerythrin solutions^1,2. The preparation of hæmerythrin crystals according to the method given by Florkin, however, was not successful. Probably the hæmerythrins from different species are not identical, but differ in respect to their protein components.