A quantitative analysis has been made of the composition of each of the classes of aliphatic constituents known to exist in hydrolysed wool wax. These classes consist of α-hydroxy acids, ω-hydroxy acids, alkanoic acids, monohydric alcohols, and α,β-diols. Each has been found to contain members of the normal, iso-, and anteiso-homologous series of compounds. The analysis was carried out by saponification of the wax and separation of the constituents into the above classes which were separately reduced to the corresponding hydrocarbon mixtures. The composition of these mixtures was determined by gas chromatographic separation.

The isolation of a pure sesquiterpene hydrocarbon from the natural coating of Granny Smith apples is described. Evidence mainly from its ultraviolet, infrared, mass, and N.M.R. spectra establish it as an α- farnesene stereoisomer (I) with a trans configuration assigned to the 9,10 double bond and a likely trans configuration of the 6,7 bond. Its infrared, mass, and N.M.R. spectra and those of trans-β-farnesene (II) are reported.

S m r y A quantitative examination has been made of the components of hydrolysed beeswax.This was achieved by separation into hydrocarbons, monohydric alcohols, " diols ", acids, and hydroxyacids. The alcohol and acid fractions were reduced to the corresponding hydrocarbon mixtures and these together with the naturally occurring hydrocarbons were examined by gas chromatography, which demonstrated their straight-chain character and gave the chain lengths and percentage composition of the components.

A method is described for the determination of the structure of branched-chain fatty acids. It is found that the carbon chain of methyl-branched acids can be readily degraded by potassium permanganate in acetone, to give a series of acids of decreasing carbon number. Where a branch occurs the acid series is interrupted and a methyl ketone, of the same carbon number as a missing acid, is produced. Gas chromatographic examination of the ketone(s) and esterified acids gives clear evidence for the location of the branch(es). The method is illustrated by application to tuberculostearic acid (10-methyl-octadecanoic acid) and C27-phthianoic acid (2,4,6-trimethyltetracosanoic acid). It appears also able to decide the location of the ring in cyclopropane fatty acids.

Largely by the use of gas chromatographic techniques the tu-o main constituent acids of the preen gland wax of the goose have been isolated and shown to be 2,4,6,8tetramethyldecanoic and 2,4,6,8-tetramethylundeoanoic acids.