380 
EDITORIAL. 
benzoin  CssHisO^  Bat  when  the  original  affinities  of  the  elements  over- 
power the  chemical  character  of  the  compounds,  decomposition  commences 
by  the  separation  of  inorganic  matter.  The  same  is  complete  if  all  the  in- 
dividual atoms  of  the  compound  radicals  are  led  over  into  inorganic  com- 
binations. By  this  entire  decomposition  every  trace  of  organization  is 
destroyed.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  decomposition  be  only  partial,  if  only 
individual  atoms  leave  the  organic  radicals,  then  at  once  the  formation  of 
new  radicals  and  compounds  of  the  same  takes  place.  Thus  from  ethyl 
C4H5,  by  loss  of  H2,  acetyl  C4H3  arises ;  if  from  acetyl  C2  departs,  we 
obtain  methyl  C2H3 ;  again,  if  methyl  lose  H2  it  goes  over  into  formyl  C2H. 
The  number  of  new  compounds  which  may  arise  by  partial  decomposi- 
tion is  proportionate  to  the  number  of  single  atoms  of  which  the  organic 
radical  consists,  and  the  grade  of  the  order  to  which  the  compound  belongs. 
Substances  which  consist  only  of  carbon  and  hydrogen  are  generally  un- 
changeable; but  if  oxygen  be  united  to  hydrocaibyls  and  their  original 
affinity  for  the  elements  of  the  radical  be  called  out  by  any  means,  then  will 
this  cause  the  decomposition  by  forming  carbonic  acid  or  water,  or  both 
together.  In  all  organic  compounds  containing  oxygen,  the  atoms  of  carbon 
and  hydrogen  in  the  radical  preponderate  over  the  atoms  of  oxygen  ;  hence 
also,  by  granting  that  the  oxygen  atoms,  combined  with  the  radicals,  instan- 
taneously receive  as  many  individual  atoms  of  carbon  and  hydrogen  as  are 
necessary  to  the  formation  of  carbonic  acid  or  carbonic  acid  and  water,  there 
must  at  once  follow  a  separation  of  carbon  or  hydrocarbon.  An  instantaneous 
withdrawal  of  all  the  oxygen  atoms  never  takes  place,  for  in  proportion  as 
single  atoms  of  carbon  and  hydrogen  are  absorbed,  new  radicals  arise  which 
possess  affinity  for  the  yet  present  oxygen,  which  by  the  original  affinity  of 
the  latter  must  be  again  overcome.  In  combinations  of  a  higher  order,  the 
decomposibility  is  mainly  dependent  upon  the  opposite  chemical  properties 
of  the  proximate  constituents;  the  stronger  these  properties  appear,  the 
firmer  are  their  combinations ;  but  the  less  their  mutual  attraction  is,  the 
more  complex  these  combinations  are,  the  more  do  the  single  atoms  seek 
(mainly  through  separation  of  carbonic  acid  and  water,  and  in  the  nitro- 
genous of  ammonia  also)  to  unite,  forming  firmer  and  less  complex  com- 
pounds. To  this  class  of  substances  the  common  constituents  of  the 
vegetable  kingdom  directly  belong,  and  particularly  those  of  the  animal 
organization. 
We  have  not  space  to  dwell  on  the  special  part  of  the  work.  The  follow- 
ing classification  is  adopted,  viz  : 
1st.  Hydrocarbyls,  including  the  hydroisocarbyls  and  JiydropoJ yearly  Is  ; 
the  first  embracing  the  methyl  and  formyl  groups  of  radicals  and  their  de- 
rivatives. The  second  comprehending  four  groups  of  radicals  founded  on  the 
size  of  the  carbon  nucleus.  The  fifth  group  including  the  volatile  oils,  cam- 
phors, resins,  etc. 
2d.  Carbyls  are  hypothetical  radicals  consisting  of  two  or  more  atoms 
of  carbon,  and  are  peculiar  to  Dr.  LOwig.  Oxatyl  C2  is  the  radical  of  ox- 
alic acid,  and  is  a  type  of  the  class  which  includes  most  of  the  ordinary 
vegetable  acids. 
3d.  Azocarbyls  include  cyanogen  and  its  compounds  and  three  analo- 
gous radicals. 
4th.  Hydroazocarbyls  comprise  the  uren  compounds  and  the  alkalids,  of 
which  glycocoll  is  a  type. 
