The infra-red spectra of 1) the decalcified films of sections, 2) thin sections cut by microtome, 3) denatured proteins of molar tooth dentin of Elephas maximus and Elephas naumanni have been examined. The results are as follows: 1) The obtained absorption bands represent protein spectra and these bands resemble those of collagen or gelatin. 2) Amide A absorption band at 3320 cm-1 in the decalcified films of E. naumanni shows higher wave number than that of so-called conchiolin at 3200〜3300 cm-1, which indicates close value to that at 3330 cm-1 of rat tail tendon collagen. 3) From the wave number of Amide I, II absorption bands of the decalcified films in the molar tooth dentin of E. naumanni, it is estimated that helical conformation which is different from α-helix and antiparallel-β-conformation exsist in these films. And the same conformation is recognized in the films of E. maximus. 4) Antiparallel-β-conformation is observed in the conchiolin fims (for example, nacreous structure, inner layer, Pinctada maxima}, this conformation may be the fundamental conformation of proteins constituting the calcifying hard tissues.

View full abstract

Petrological studies by the writer of the Matsura basalts and other post-Miocene basaltic rocks in northern Kyushu belong the Tairiku volcanic series at the following conclusions: (1) These basaltic rocks which are remarked by high-alumina and low-lime character belong to the "abnormal basalts" (TOMITA, 1958). (2) Their parent magma is regarded as one of alkali olivine basalt magma, presenting various unsual evolutional tendencies. (3) As one of the reason for these peculiarities, contamination and/or other actions, say, the effects of water are conceivable. Recently, the so-called high-alumina basalts (KUNO, 1960) of post-Miocene time from San-in province and northern Kyushu belong to the Tairiku volcanic series are dealt with in this paper, especially on their occurences and rock series (Tables 2 and 3), xenolithes and xenocrysts (Tables 1〜3), chemical compositions and average chemical compositions (Table 4). Petrochemical characters are shown in the normative or-ab-an, wo-en-fs, wo-fo-Q, Q-fo-fa and MgO-(FeO+Fe2O3)-(Na2O+K2O) diagrams (Figs. 1〜5). In summary, the following can be said: the socalled high-alumina basalts of post-Miocene time from San-in province and northern Kyushu may be of a special type of the " abnormal basalts ". In other words, the formation of these so-called highalumina basalts are the same with abnormal basalts from the northern Kyushu, namely, these parent magma is alkali olivine basalt magma and their basaltic rocks are attributeable to assimilation and contamination of other rocks and/or other actions. Hence, it is not necessary to give especial petrological importance to KUNO'S highalumina basalts.

View full abstract