The latter very simply represents the formation of omega-brommethylfurfural from laevulose,[7] ------O----- | H H | | | | | OH.C-----C---C---C--C-----CH_{2}.OH H_{2} OH OH OH H giving H H HC.C:C.C:C.CH_{2}Br || \ / , O \ / O although by a little further 'manipulation' of the symbols the change could, of course, be represented by reference to the ketonic formula. ~The Ketonic Constitution of Cellulose.~ C. F. CROSS and E. J. BEVAN (J. Chem. Soc., 1901, 366). In this paper the authors discuss more fully the theoretical bearings of the observations of Fenton and Gostling, the two papers being simultaneously communicated. The paper is mainly devoted to a review of the antecedent evidence, chemical and physiological, and to a general summing up in favour of the view that cellulose is a polyketose (anhydride). * * * * * (p. 79) ~Composition of the Seed Hair of Eriodendron~ (~Anf.~)--Some interest attaches to the results of an analytical investigation which we have made of this silky floss. There is little doubt that cotton is entirely exceptional in its characteristics: both in structure and chemical composition it fails to show any adaptation to what we may regard as the _more obvious_ functions of a seed hair--which certainly do not demand either structural strength or chemical resistance. The following numbers determined for the kapok differentiate it widely from the cottons: Ash, 1.3; moisture, 9.3; alkaline hydrolysis (loss) (a) 16.7, (b) 21.8. Cellulose, by chlorination, &c., 71.1. In reacting with chloride it shows the presence of unsaturated groups, similar to the lignone of the woods. This was confirmed by a well-marked reaction with ferric ferricyanide with increase of weight due to the fixation of the blue cyanide. But the most characteristic feature is the high yield of furfural on boiling with condensing acids. The following numbers were determined: Total furfural from original fibre 14.84 In residue from alkali hydrolysis 11.5 In cellulose isolated by Cl method 10.4 Treated with sulphuric acids of concentration, (a) 92.1 grs. H_{2}SO_{4} per 100 c.c., (b) 105.8 grs. per 100 c.c., the fibres dissolve, and diluted immediately after complete solution it was resolved into (a) (b) Reprecipitated fraction 68.7 43.7 Soluble fraction yielding furfural 13.2 14.3 By these observations it is established that the furfuroids are of the cellulose type and behave very much as the furfuroids of the cereal celluloses. This group of seed hairs invites exhaustive investigation. The furfuroid constituents are easily isolated, and as they constitute at least one-third of the fibre substance it is especially from this point of view that they invite study. RECHERCHES SUR L'OXYCELLULOSE.