The condensation of cresols with acetic, propionic and butyric acids was tried under conditions of Nencki’s reaction employing anhydrous zinc chloride as the condensing agent. Onlyo-cresol gave rise to both theortho- andpara-substituted derivatives, while them- and thep-cresols produced only theortho-substituted products. The yields varied with the duration of heating.

The hemicelluloses of the tubers ofAsparagus adscendens Roxb. have been isolated and chemically examined. They are composed of two fractions, A₂ and B₂ of Norris and Preece designation.

Both the fractions are constituted from the same sugars and uronic acid,viz., xylose, glucose and glucuronic acid but in different proportions. In hemicellulose A₂ the ratio of these components is 2:1:1, while in B₂ it is 1:1:2.

The hemicelluloses of the tubers ofAsparagus racemosus Willd. have been isolated and chemically examined. Two fractions,viz., A₂ and B₂ of Norris and Preece designation, have been obtained.

Both the fractions are constituted from the same sugar and uronic acid, namely, glucose and galacturonic acid but in different proportions. In hemicellulose A₂ the molecular ratio of these compounds is 10:1, while in B₂ it is 5:2. Under conditions of partial hydrolysis, both the fractions give rise to glucose and a gluco-galacturonic acid.