•262 MR. G FOWNES ON THE ARTIFICIAL FORMATION OF A VEGETO-ALKALI. 



In conclusion, I beg to direct attention to the large and promising field of investi- 

 gation offered by the study of the action of ammonia on the volatile oils, and on 

 other allied bodies. 



Middlesex Hospital, 

 Jan. 9, 1845. 



Note added during the printing. 



Since the preceding paper was read I have received a communication from the 

 gentleman just referred to, Mr. William Coley Jones, late of Plymouth, who has 

 directed my attention to an article in the Polytechnic Journal, April 1840, in which 

 he has described some of the more important properties of the oil in question, and 

 among others, its power of generating a solid compound with ammonia, which when 

 distilled with dilute sulphuric acid reproduced the furfurol. Mr. Jones prepared 

 furfurol on a very extensive scale from the waste " lignin," or bran, separated from 

 wheat in the process of starch-making ; the details of the method however are not 

 given, and there are no analyses of the products. I feel no hesitation in expressing 

 my opinion that the honour of the independent discovery of this most curious body 

 is justly due to Mr. Jones, and it is much to be regretted that it did not receive 

 greater publicity. 



Aug. 12, 1845. 



