Compound Celluloses 159 



sodium sulphite solution. Both in union and under resolu- 

 tion, therefore, the two main complexes preserve their general 

 character of complex anhydrides. The union resists the 

 action of all simple hydrolytic treatment, but yields at once 

 when the condition of oxidation or the specific attack of 

 negative groups (NO 2 , C1 2 O) is superadded. 



It has been shown by the quantitative statistical study of 

 these several reactions, and by the composition of the pro- 

 ducts, that each has its characteristic line of resolution or 

 cleavage of the original lignocellulose complex. While the 

 lines of separation of the a-cellulose and ^-cellulose residues 

 are well marked, it is doubtful whether the /3-cellulose is as 

 sharply separated from the lignone complex. Under the 

 chromic acid treatment it certainly appears that a portion of 

 the latter is converted into a cellulose (oxycellulose), as a 

 result of attendant hydration ; moreover the general features 

 of the lignone are largely those of products obtained by the 

 action of condensing agents upon the carbohydrates, and it is 

 not improbable that the general configuration might be so 

 retained that combination with water would restore the carbo- 

 hydrate, i.e. cellulose, character. Again, if the /3-cellulose is a 

 keto- cellulose, as it appears to be, it may exist in a condensed 

 form in the lignocellulose, and thus have features as much in 

 common with the lignone as with the a-cellulose. 



These considerations justify the use of the group-term 

 lignocellulose, and at the same time show that the constituent 

 groups lignone-cellulose must not be too easily regarded as 

 fixed quantities. It leaves open the question as to whether 

 the lignone is not genetically connected with the cellulose. 

 This is an important physiological probability which will be 

 met with again in considering the chemistry of the woods, 

 i.e. the lignocellulose of perennials. 



