222 Cellulose 



the yield amounted to 8-10 p.ct Ultimate analysis of the 

 products, retaining 5-6 p.ct. inorganic constituents, gave the 

 following numbers, varying between the extremes 



C 46-52 44-17 



H 5-88 6-15 



Corresponding to the formula Cj 8 H 28 O 14 C, 8 H 30 O, 5 



The product was then investigated for the presence of typical 

 carbohydrate groups. 



Oxidation with nitric acid gave no mucic acid and no 

 saccharic acid. Galactose and dextrose groups are therefore 

 absent. On the other hand, furfural was obtained in some 

 quantity (6-45 p.ct. furfuramide) on distillation with acids. 

 The substance therefore contains pentose groups. 



Hydrolysis with dilute sulphuric acid. On boiling with 

 the acid, the product is resolved into 



And a mixture of 



Cellulose Gummy bodies and Glucoses 



Insoluble and Precipitated by alcohol Soluble in 



amounting to from neutralised alcohol 



23 p.ct. solution 



From the soluble products it was found impossible to isolate 

 any glucose in the crystalline form. The solution, on the 

 other hand, certainly contained compounds of this group, since 

 it was strongly dextro-rotary, reduced Fehling's solution to 

 an amount equal to 62 p.ct. that of dextrose, and gave, with 

 phenylhydrazine, anosazone melting at 162, and giving results 

 on analysis corresponding with a mixture of osazones of a 

 pentose and hexose. 



It is evident from these results that the mucilage is com- 

 paratively resistant to hydrolysis ; by its behaviour, in fact, it is 

 shown to be much more nearly related to the cellulosic than 

 the starch type of ' saccharo-colloids.' It is for this reason 

 that we direct special attention to this remarkable group of 

 compounds, since their further investigation cannot fail to 



