In his discussion of the thermal degradation of cellulose the author has discussed the experimental conditions and techniques used to investigate the degradation of solid samples, and the resulting volatile and solid products. He has considered the behavior of a model compound and the various mechanisms which have been proposed to explain the experimental results. Possible transformations of cellulose, the formation of anhydrosugars, and the nature of the charred residue and gaseous products are discussed. -- AATA