Modifications of Cellulose in the Plant. Compound Celluloses.

Like cellulose, jute dissolves in cuprammonia, and is similarly acted upon by the concentrated acids. By nitric acids it is converted into nitric ethers, which are yellow coloured, but in other respects closely resemble the pyroxylins. They are entirely soluble in acetone.

Jute differs from cellulose in the following respects: its percentage composition (excluding ash) is

C47·048·0per cent.
H 5·9 5·7„
O47·146·3„

It is harsher to the touch, and its colour varies from grey to brown; it combines directly with the greater number of the organic colouring matters, removing them from solution, i.e., becoming dyed with them; it is coloured deep yellow by immersion in a solution of aniline sulphate; moistened with a solution of phloroglucol and afterwards with hydrochloric acid, it gives a deep red coloration; with pyrrol also in presence of hydrochloric acid it gives a deep carmine colour; it is attacked and partially converted into soluble products by a number of reagents which have no action, under similar conditions, upon cellulose. Certain of these we must consider more in detail.