The Typical Cellulose and the Cellulose Group 59 



proportion of the products are dissolved by the acid solution, and 

 of the insoluble residue (oxycellulose) a large proportion is easily 

 attacked and dissolved by alkaline solutions. The product is no 

 doubt, therefore, a mixture ; and, indeed, it would be hardly conceiv- 

 able that an aggregate like cellulose should be equally and simul 

 taneously attacked. 



The reaction is so perfectly under control that it must be 

 regarded as giving a regulated dissection of the molecule of cellu- 

 lose, and therefore is an especially attractive subject for exhaustive 

 investigation. 



The carbohydrates of low molecular weight are similarly 

 oxidised by chromic acid, and the product of oxidation 

 similarly resolved with formation of furfural. 



It is to be noted with cellulose, as with the carbohydrates 

 of low molecular weight, that by oxidation its equilibrium is 

 disturbed in such a way that carbon condensation is easily 

 determined. This fact is of physiological significance and will 

 be referred to subsequently. 



(3) Of other acid oxidations which have not been particu- 

 larly investigated we may mention the action of Cl gas in 

 presence of water, of hypochlorous acid, and of the lower 

 oxides of nitrogen in presence of water. Generally the result of 

 these treatments is similar : the formation of insoluble products 

 having the properties of the oxycelluloses above described, and 

 soluble products which are oxidised derivatives of carbohydrates 

 of low molecular weight. These, however, are usually obtained 

 in relatively small quantity. 



Atmospheric oxidation of cellulose if it could be proved to take 

 place would fall in this category, as cellulose surfaces undei 

 ordinary conditions of exposure would be found to be normally acid. 

 From the evidence we have of the condition of paper and textiles of 

 the flax group after centuries of exposure to ordinary atmospheric 

 influences, we may conclude that the oxidation of the normal cellu- 

 loses under these conditions is excessively slight. 



