264 Prof. Latham, On the formation of lactic acid, [May 11, 



the numbers in the brackets representing the number of times 

 that cyanhydrin is repeated in that group, and the composition of 

 the compound would be C 72 H 113 N 18 22 S ; which is almost identical 

 with the formula given by Lieberkuhn viz. C 72 H 112 N 18 22 S. 



I offer this then as showing how by combining the cyan- 

 alcohols with a benzene nucleus a body having the same compo- 

 sition as albumen may be built up: — not as asserting that it is the 

 actual composition, though strongly impressed that this is the 

 case. For by simply dehydrating six molecules each of glycocine, 

 alanine and leucine and combining them in a similar fashion with 

 a benzene nucleus, we should arrive at a formula C 72 H 115 N 18 22 S; 

 but as I shall show presently there are reasons for believing that 



the molecules C 3 H 6 -|p„ C 4 H 8 jp„ are constituents of albumen. 



Having arrived at the constitution of albuminous matter, we 

 are now prepared to consider the changes which result from its 

 disintegration. 



From the various cyan-alcohols when treated with acids or 

 alkalis the various acids of the lactic series can be obtained 



CH„{OH + 2Hs O = CH ! ,P oH+NHs 



lactic, oxybutyric &c. are examples. 



The various glycines or amido-acids can also be obtained from 

 them by the following methods. By digesting the cyan-alcohols 

 with ammonia the cyanamides are obtained* 



CH, {cn + ™3 = H *° + C « H - {cN 2 



* Berichte der deutsch. chem. Gesell. xiv. s. 1985. " The amido acids of the 

 fatty series are easily obtained by the familiar reactions which take place on 

 treating aldehyde ammonia with hydrochloric and hydrocyanic acids, and which 



led Strecker to the discovery of alanine The reactions indicated by Strecker 



take place unquestionably according to the following general formulse : 



(NH„ (NH 2 



E...CJH ~ + HCN=E...C JH +H 2 0, 



[OH (CN 



(NH 2 

 and E...CJH + 2H 2 0+HC1=E ... CH (NH 2 ) ... COOH + H 4 NC1. 



(CN 



The question arises, whether the cyanamide 



(NH 2 

 E...C H 



(CN 



could not be obtained more readily from the cyanhydrides of the aldehydes 



fCN 

 E...C^H 

 (OH 



