136 REPORT — 1851. 



withstanding the researches of Liebig and Wohler, the true relations of their 

 bodies one to the other still appear obscure. 



The termination one appropriately denotes bodies formed from vegetable 

 acids by the abstraction of 1 atom of carbonic acid, and should be reserved 

 for this same description of bodies ; but the use of the analogous termination 

 ole for those formed by the abstraction of 2 atoms of carbonic acid from the 

 same may be apt to cause some ambiguity. Thus we use the terms benzofe, 

 pheno/e, and aniso/e, as being derived respectively from the benzoic, salicy- 

 lic, and anisic acids. 



Benzole C'^ H^ + C^ O* forming benzoic acid C* H^ 0*. 



Phenole ... C'2H6 02 + C«0* „ salicylic „ C* H^ O^. 

 Anisole.. ..C'<H8 0"-+C2 0* „ anisic „ C'« H8 Qs. 



But unfortunately the same termination, or one so similar as to be easily 

 confounded with it, has been applied to bodies of an entirely different com- 

 position, in order to indicate that they belong to the class of oils. Thus ben- 

 zoilo/ is the name given by some to the essential oil of bitter almonds; 

 cinnamoZ to the oil of cinnamons, and so with the rest. 



It would seem better that these latter names should be abandoned, and 

 that the termination ole should be applied only to bodies formed in the same 

 manner as benzole and its analogues. 



The above remarks and suggestions in relation to the classification and 

 nomenclature of organic compounds, crude as they may appear in the eyes of 

 chemists more thoroughly versed in the subject than myself, will not be 

 altogether thrown away, if they only serve to stimulate others to make it the 

 subject of their consideration, and thus lead to the establishment of more 

 precise and convenient terms of art. Some indeed may object that the whole 

 of this department of chemistry is at present in a transition state, and conse- 

 quently that no fixed rules, for classifying or naming the various products 

 that present themselves to us whilst investigating it, can as yet be laid down. 

 But the fact is, that we are compelled, whether we will or no, by the very 

 necessity of the case, to adopt a certain system of nomenclature whenever a 

 new body comes before us, and the only question is, whether this system 

 shall be consistent with itself, and shall convey a correct impression of the 

 relation in which, at the time of its discovery, we suppose the body to stand 

 with reference to others. 



It has been my endeavour, in the preceding remarks, to point out what 

 appear to me to be the views which have guided the most eminent chemical 

 authorities in the names they have thought proper to impose, and thus rather 

 to give expression to their ideas, than to advance any theories or methods of 

 my own invention. 



I would however submit to the chemists here assembled, whether the want 

 of precision which has been shown to exist in the application of those prin- 

 ciples of nomenclature to particular cases, does not suggest the expediency of 

 having the whole subject brought under revision by this Section, or by a 

 Committee appointed by it, and of having certain definite rules laid down by 

 their joint authority, in conformity with the usage, and in accordance with 

 the understood principles, of those great masters of chemical science to whom 

 we all look up in deference. 



In the mean time, I will, in conclusion, submit to the Section the few fol- 

 lowing directions, as calculated, in my humble opinion, to simplify the nomen- 

 clature of organic compounds, and therefore as worthy of adoption, at least 

 provisionally, in order to render it more expressive and perspicuous. 



1st. That in the case of bodies only known to be produced by artificial 



