( 309 ) 
this question. The first way of connecting requires that as well a 
mixture with a maximum, as a mixture with a minimum critical 
temperature occurs. And though I expressed in my paper of 1899 
the expectation, that it would be possible to account for this, yet I 
must acknowledge, that a further investigation has made me consider 
the occurrence of a maximum critical temperature more and more 
improbable. 
After my opinion the question is decided by that part of the 
plaitpoint curve KurNeN has determined experimentally, which starts 
at the critical point of methylaleohol and which indicates the course 
of a plaitpoint belonging to a plait which has its summit towards 
ip. 
, Is negative or at any 
ap 
the side of the small volumes. The fact that aT 
a 
Op 
rate smaller than (55 quite agrees with the circumstance, that 
3 Ü 
do\. x 
>, | 18 positive. 
du 
If this plait had its summit on the side of the large volumes, then 
it would be possible to explain the course also for the case of ethane 
and methylaleohol by admitting the existence of a maximum and a 
minimum 7. As this is however not the case it seems to me that 
we cannot but assume with KueNeN, that the theoretical part of the 
plaitpoint curve indicates the course of a point, drawn i. a. by KoRTEWEG 
(Archives Neérl. XXIV, p. 305, fig. 12) and which belongs to a 
sideplait if we trace the connodal curve of the sideplait also in the 
unstable region. The discontinuity in the direction of the curve 
ensues then from the fact that the theoretic part represents the 
course of another plaitpoint than the experimental part. 
If we return to the case of ethane and methylaleohol then we must 
admit that above 7’, the spinodal curve possesses a protuberance towards 
the side of the small volumes, accompanied by a new connodal curve, 
which if we trace it also in the unstable region, presents a new 
plaitpoint. Or, what comes to the same: the existing plaitpoint splits 
up into two plaitpoints. This second plaitpoint lies on the side of 
ethane and in the beginning it will move with great velocity. At 
higher values of 7 the sideplait extends and in consequence thereof 
that part of the principal plait which has a plaitpoint on the side of 
ethane contracts. At the moment that that part would vanish the second 
plaitpoint has coincided with the plaitpoint which is indicated by the 
point A (see fig. (1) of p. 319). This description differs in details 
from that of Kuenen, but a great number of figures would be required 
