The Oxygen Dissociation and Alkaline Denaturation of Haemoglobins from Two Species of Earthworm

A method is described for determination of the oxygen dissociation curves of the blood of two species of earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris and Allolobophora terrestris. The following values have been obtained for the partial pressures of oxygen (mm. Hg) required to saturate the blood: Times for alkaline denaturation at pH 12·7 have been found as follows: Lumbricus terrestris 23 min., L. rubelhis 2·5 min., L. festivus 11·5 min., Allolobophora terrestris 6 min., Eisenia foetida 5 min. These results indicate definite differences in the properties of the haemoglobin of the species examined.