THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 25 



acid (SO 3 ) soon after preparation becomes converted into 

 a body of the same percentage composition, though of 

 higher melting point. There are, moreover, very good 

 reasons, approved by chemists, for believing that nitric 

 peroxide gas, NO 2 , when at a low temperature, be- 

 comes N-O 1 j that the composition of hydric acetate 

 (vinegar) is C 4 H 8 O 4 in the liquid state, but C 2 H 4 O 2 

 in the gaseous state; and that bitter almond oil, in 

 presence of certain reagents, is capable of doubling 

 itself (C 7 H 6 O into C 14 H 12 O 2 ), even with change 

 of chemical constitution for C 7 H 6 O = (C 7 H 5 O) H, 

 or hydride of benzoyl, whilst C 14 H^ O 2 =(C 7 H 5 O) 

 (C?H') O, or benzoate of benzyl. Strictly analogous, 

 also, to these reactions between similar molecules are 

 those in which two or more dissimilar molecules coalesce 

 as when two oxides, two chlorides, two cyanides, 

 two sulphates, &c., unite to form double oxides, double 

 chlorides, double cyanides, double sulphates, &c. Similar 

 unions are also known to take place between organic 

 or carbon compounds, e.g. cyanamide (CN 2 H 2 ) and 

 glycocol (C 2 H 5 NO 2 ), which are both obtainable syn- 

 thetically, combine, when present together in aqueous 

 solution, to yield glycocyamine (C 3 H 7 N 3 O 2 ), a body 

 homologous in properties and composition with krea- 

 tine i. 



If we are asked to explain why, or in what manner, 



1 My attention has kindly been called to these synthetic changes by 

 Mr. Temple Orme, of University College, to whom I have been much 

 indebted for information of this kind. 



