reer in
connection with the cellulose industries. They will not find this
invitation in the treatment accorded to the subject in text-books and
lectures. It is probable, indeed, that the impression produced by their
studies is that the industries in coal-tar products largely exceed in
importance those of which the carbohydrates are the basis; whereas the
former are quite insignificant by comparison. A little reflection will
prove that cellulose, starch, and sugar are of vast industrial moment in
the order in which they are mentioned. If it is an open question to
what extent science follows industry, or _vice versa_, it is not open to
doubt that scientific men, and especially chemists, are called in these
days to lead and follow where industrial evolution is most active. There
is ample evidence of activity and great expansion in the cellulose
industries, especially in those which involve the chemistry of the raw
material; and the present volume should serve to show that there is
rapid advance in the science of the subject. Hence our appeal to the
workers not to neglect those opportunities which belong to the days of
small beginnings.

We have especially to acknowledge the services of Mr. J. F. BRIGGS in
investigations which are recorded on pp. 34-40 and pp. 125-133 of the
text.

CONTENTS

THE MATTER OF THIS VOLUME MAY BE DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION--DEALING WITH THE SUBJECT IN GENERAL OUTLINE 1

SECTION

I. GENERAL CHEMISTRY OF THE TYPICAL COTTON CELLULOSE 13

II. SYNTHETICAL DERIVATIVES--SULPHOCARBONATES AND ESTERS 27

III. DECOMPOSITIONS OF CELLULOSE SUCH AS THROW LIGHT
ON THE PROBLEM OF ITS CONSTITUTION 67

IV. CELLULOSE GROUP, INCLUDING HEMICELLULOSES AND
TISSUE CONSTITUENTS OF FUNGI 97

V. FURFUROIDS, i.e. PENTOSANES AND FURFURAL-YIELDING
CONSTITUENTS GENERALLY 114

VI. THE LIGNOCELLULOSES 125

VII. PECTIC GROUP 152

VIII. INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNICAL. GENERAL REVIEW 155

INDEX OF AUTHORS 177

INDEX OF SUBJECTS 178

CELLULOSE

INTRODUCTIO