

Number of Isomeric Bodies. 



of Methyl in which hydrogen is substituted for Methyl, Ethyl, 

 or Propyl, we find already four isomerics. 



1.) 



3.) 



The next highest radical is Amy] C B H U , in which we find 

 already eight isomeric monocarbolic radicals, namely, four 

 primary, three secondary, and one tertiary. Adding all these 

 monocarbolic and bicarbolic radicals, which are isomeric to Amy], 

 we obtain a much higher number (vide table). 



The monocarbolic radicals of the formula of Capryl show 

 Qteen isomerics. In this manner we obtain : 

 for Septyl, C T H„ = 39 Isomerics, 

 forOctyl, C e H„ = 89 

 for Nbnyl, C,H„ = 221 " and 

 for Decy], (',,11,, = 619, etc. 



The general rule from Capry] up is expressed thus: that for ;i 

 body of the general formula CxH^+j, there exist more than 

 2 imeric monocarbolic combinations, and less than 2 ( *~ l \ 



If we apply this law upon Stearic acid — (C„H M ) [CO] OH, we 

 find thai iheri I more than 2": more than 131072 iso- 



merii .-. 



The different Stearic acids are probably very difficult to dis- 

 tinguish, even by means of polarized light, or by the melting 

 it, but we cannot deny the possibility that at some future 

 time we may be able to construcl more delicate and subtle instru- 

 ment parate bodies, which, although only isomeric, do not 

 show a Btriking chemical difference. An example illustrating 



