Cellulose and nitric acid: β Oxycellulose.[*]
[*] Cross and Bevan, Chem. Soc. Journ., xliii. p. 23.
Alkalis.
Water at High Temperature.
[4] The action of alkaline substances dissolved from the glass must be taken into account in this decomposition.
Decomposition by means of ferments, &c.
Humus.
The most important part which ulmic substances play in the economy of nature, is in the composition of soils. It is doubtful whether they act directly as fertilisers, but by their action upon the mineral constituents of soils they contribute to the supply of these necessary elements of growth to the plant.
Synthesis of Cellulose.
The process of cellulosic fermentation may be represented by the equation: