166 



W. M. HAMLET. 



c 



/\ 



c c 



c c 



omitting the lettering we have,- 



Like the Benzene ring there are three distinct positions, and 

 these correspond to distinctive characteristics, thus may be repre- 

 sented both dextro-rotatory and lsevo-rotatory varieties while the 

 superposition of these might indicate the optically inactive sugars. 



Scheibler (Berichte 18, p. 646) has already proposed the term 

 monose for this group, the higher members being termed by him 

 triose &c. But the synthetic researches of Fischer and Tafel 

 show that lower members than Scheibler J s monose exist, and 

 therefore it becomes necessary to reduce the formula to its lowest 

 limit before attempting a homologous series which I do by adopt- 

 ing formic aldehyde as the starting point. 



The heptose chain becomes — 



1 



1/ 



5 4 

 and embraces mannoheptose, glucoheptose, galaheptose, fructo- 

 heptose and rhamnoheptose. 



Octose becomes an octagon in figure, while nonose the highest 

 yet known in the sugar series is represented thus : — 



