At the recommendation of Dr Anderson, Glasgow University, I have re-examined the oil which Plantamour obtained by acting on citric acid with chlorine. Owing to the slowness with which it is formed, its complete investigation is somewhat lengthened, and the following results are all I have as yet obtained. A considerable part of the work has been done in the Glasgow College Laboratory.

Plantamour found that when a strong solution of citric acid was exposed to the action of chlorine in the sunshine, a heavy oil appeared on the surface of the liquid, gathering in drops and sinking to the bottom. He describes the properties of this oil, and ascribes to it the formula C8 Cl8 O3.