SYNTHETICAL EESEAECHES ON ACIDS OP THE LACTIC SERIES. 347 



+ 

 integers, and neither may =0. In the symbolic formula R must be a monad alcohol 



radical. All the known members of this division are described in the foregoing pages. 

 The following examples will serve to illustrate their constitution: — 



_^. ^, -. ., rCMcaHo 



Dimethoxauc acid i ^ ^ -rt 



LC O Ho 



Ethomethoxalic acid \ 



ICOHo 



Diethoxalic acid < 2 



ICOHo 



The number of acids possessing the same atomic weight, and belonging to this division, 

 is determined, first, by the complementary variation of the two alcohol radicals, and, 

 secondly, by the number of possible isomers of these radicals. The two lowest terms of 

 the series are alone incapable of isomeric modification by either of the causes mentioned. 



4th. Etheric Secondary Acids. — These acids stand in the same relation to the secondary 

 as the etheric normal to the normal acids ; they consequently contain a monad organic 

 radical in the place of the hydrogen of the non-oxatylic hydroxyl. The following is 

 therefore the general formula of these acids : — 



0.. 



or 



(C E2 Ro 

 Ho' 



jCR, 



Ico 



"We have obtained acids belonging to this division which we hope to describe in an 

 eai'ly communication. 



5th. Normal Olefine Acids. — A normal olefine acid belonging to the lactic series is 

 one in which the atom of carbon united with oxatyl is not combined with hydroxyl, and 

 in which the atom of carbon united with hydroxyl is combined with not less than one 

 atom of hydrogen. The following are the general graphic and symbolic formulae of the 

 acids belonging to this division : — 



(J?^0^.. 



or 



< CRHHo 

 COHo 



In both these formulae n must be a positive integer and cannot =0, but R may be 



\, 



