1 34 Cellulose 



solutions. One of these, digested 52 hours with sodium 

 hydrate solution (i p.ct. NaOH), sustained a loss of 22 p.ct. in 

 weight. The insoluble residue, on analysis, was found to 

 contain 12*3 p.ct. N. A second specimen, heated with a 

 0-5 p.ct. solution of sodium carbonate 3 hours at 90-100, 

 lost 25 p.ct. of its weight. The residue gave, on analysis, 

 12*25 P- ct - N. 



From these observations, which the authors can fully 

 confirm, the important conclusion was drawn by Miihlhauser, 

 and may be given in his own words : 



'Auch in diesem Falle hatte eine gradweise Abspaltung 

 nicht stattgefunden : die Zerstorung erstreckte sich, wie in 

 alien Fallen, auf das ganze Molecul.' The lignocellulose 

 behaves under nitration as a homogeneous body. It is important 

 to note at this point the convergence to this same conclusion, 

 of the evidence drawn from three independent lines of investi- 

 gation : (i) the general physiology of the elaboration of the 

 fibre ; (2) the resistance of the fibre-substance, so far as regards 

 the union of the constituent groups, to the action of hydrolytic 

 agents ; and (3) the homogeneous nature of the products of 

 synthesis, such as the nitrates just described. This evidence 

 compels the view that the fibre-substance is not merely a 

 mixture of cellulose with ' non-cellulose ' constituents, but that 

 these are compacted together into a homogeneous, though 

 complex molecule, by bonds of union of a strictly * atomic ' 

 character. 



(b) Compounds of Lignocellulose with the Halo- 

 gens, (i) Chlorine. The reaction of the fibre-substance with 

 chlorine has been already described. We have now to deal 

 more particularly with the product. 



The derivative in question is dissolved in large proportion 

 by treating the chlorinated fibre with alcohol after first washing 

 (to remove HC1) and squeezing. , The alcoholic solution may 



