PREFACE 



THE purpose of this short work on a large subject is to con- 

 solidate the scattered contributions of investigators, with more 

 especial reference to the work of the past fifteen years. By 

 this later work the subject has been considerably widened, 

 not merely through the growth of the subject-matter, but by 

 notable additions of experimental methods on the one hand, 

 and theoretical generalisations on the other. In reviewing the 

 present position of cellulose chemistry the work has taken the 

 form of a monograph as distinguished from a textbook. In 

 adopting the freer form of writing we have reserved a certain 

 latitude of treatment, in view of the fact that ' Cellulose ' has 

 not yet been accorded a definite position in the specialised 

 sections of organic chemistry ; and also because we find it 

 necessary to address ourselves to original workers, and from 

 time to time to point out with particular emphasis the weaker 

 points in the evidence for the theoretical conclusions. At 

 such points suggestions are given of subject-matter for further 

 research, which it is our desire to stimulate. In presenting 

 this work, on the other hand, to the masters and ' past masters * 

 of the science it would have been out of place to have adopted 



