242 Schunck . — The Chemistry 
ethereal solution shows the absorption-bands of the latter 
substance and by decomposition with alcoholic potash they 
yield phyllotaonin. It appears therefore that whether we 
decompose chlorophyll with acid and subject the product of 
decomposition to the action of alkali, or whether we act on 
chlorophyll, first with alkali and then with acid, the final 
product is in both cases the same. It is almost certain, how- 
ever, that it is the blue chlorophyll to which the formation of 
alkachlorophyll and consequently of phyllotaonin is due. The 
yellow chlorophyll must by the action of alkalis give rise to 
products which are not distinctly recognised during the pro- 
cesses hitherto employed. In my process, these products, if 
formed, probably remain in solution when carbonic acid is 
passed through the alkaline solution of chlorophyll. 
It can hardly be doubted, I think, after what I have said, 
that chlorophyll does indeed undergo a metamorphosis, when 
subjected to the action of alkalis. It is not a case of mere 
combination, nor on the other hand of decomposition, strictly 
speaking, but rather of internal molecular re-arrangement, 
whereby the whole complex attains to a state of greater 
stability. 
In consequence of this relatively greater stability, accom- 
panied by general resemblance in properties, of alkachloro- 
phyll, certain questions naturally suggest themselves, the 
solution of which is calculated to throw light on the composi- 
tion of chlorophyll itself. Among these is the question 
whether chlorophyll by decomposition with acids yields any 
product soluble in water. This question could not be deter- 
mined in the case of chlorophyll on account of the impossibility, 
so frequently dwelt on, of separating it from the impurities 
with which it is associated in alcoholic leaf-extracts, but with 
alkachlorophyll, which can be obtained relatively pure and in 
a form in which it can be easily manipulated, the case is dif- 
ferent. I have made a few experiments with alkachlorophyll, 
decomposing it with sulphuric acid, and treating the liquid 
after the products insoluble in water had been filtered off in 
the usual manner, and I obtained a syrupy substance which 
