110 Messrs Fenton & Ryffel, Isomeric esters of dioxymaleic acid. 
has the anhydrous form, i.e. dioxosuccinic ester. Another modifi- 
cation of the dioxymaleic ester has also been prepared which 
appears to be quite stable under the circumstances above men- 
tioned, and it is considered probable that they represent the 
maleic and fu marie forms respectively. 
Note on the constitution of cellidose. By H. J. H. Fenton, 
M.A., and Miss Mildred Gostling. 
\Read 18 February 1901.] 
Certain carbohydrates when acted upon by dry hydrogen 
bromide in etherial solution at the ordinary temperature yield an 
intense purple colour which was shewn to be due to brom-methyl- 
furfural. This substance has been isolated in the crystalline state, 
and it was further demonstrated that its production is characteristic 
of ketohexoses or of substances which give rise to these on hydro- 
lysis. Carbohydrates of the aldose type yield none of this product. 
Exactly similar results have been obtained by operating in other 
solvents at 100°, and under the latter condition it is found that all 
forms of cellulose give large yields of brom-methylfurfural and it 
is concluded that the results definitely indicate the existence of a 
ketonic nucleus in cellulose. 
