A large number of organic compounds belonging to different groups have been studied in regard to their behaviour on the surface of water. The influences of the various groups—COOH, >C=O, −NH₂, etc. in a substance on its behaviour on the water surface are discussed.

Percentage lowering of surface tension of aqueous solutions of a number of typical compounds are recorded and the results compared with their behaviour on the water surface.

Combination movements exhibited by the pairs phenylacetic acid— camphor andp-nitrotoluene—o-nitrophenol are described.