THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 25 



acid (SO3) soon after preparation becomes converted into 

 a body of the same percentage composition, though of 

 higher melting point. There are, moreover, very good 

 reasons, approved by chemists, for believing that nitric 

 peroxide gas^ N 0-, when at a low temperature, be- 

 comes N-0+; that the composition of hydric acetate 

 (vinegar) is C^Rs OMn the liquid state, but C^ H^O^ 

 in the gaseous state; and that bitter almond oil, in 

 presence of certain reagents, is capable of doubling 

 itself (C^H6 into C^^Hi^O^), even with change 

 of chemical constitution— for C^ H6 = (C^ H^ O) H, 

 or hydride of benzoyl, whilst C^^ H^^ 02 = (C^ H^O) 

 (C^H') O, or benzoate of benzyl. Strictly analogous, 

 also, to these reactions between similar molecules are 

 those in which two or more dissimilar molecules coalesce 

 — as when two oxides, two chlorides, two cyanides, 

 two sulphates, &c., unite to form double oxides, double 

 chlorides, double cyanides, double sulphates, &:c. Similar 

 unions are also known to take place between organic 

 or carbon compounds, e.g. cyanamide (CN^H^) and 

 glycocol (C^ H^NO^), which are both obtainable syn- 

 thetically, combine, when present together in aqueous 

 solution, to yield glycocyamine (C^H"^ N^ O^), a body 

 homologous in properties and composition with krea- 

 tine 1. 



If we are asked to explain why, or in what manner, 



^ My attention has kindly been called to these synthetic changes by 

 Mr. Temple Orme, of University College, to whom I have been much 

 indebted for information of this kind. 



