In Farmer's modified theory describing "universal initiation" (4) and in Hilditch'stheory (10) of transitory formation of cyclic peroxide, which both advocate an oxidative attack on olefines by addition a t the double bond, there are two major defects: ( a ) neither makes any provision for the energy ( < 64 Itcal.) needed for opening up one bond (20) of the double bond (-C-C-), (b) Farmer's postulation leads to the formation of an unstable diradical system (21) and Hilditch's t o a cyclic four-membered ring uncler a considerable amount of strain (7). In this paper, a suitable theory which eliminates both these defects in Fanner's and Hilditch's theories will be proposed and explained.The recent research in the field of autoxidation supports Farmer's theory. The agreement has arisen, perhaps, because of a n inadequate appreciation of the reaction sequence in autoxidation. T h e reaction patterns in each of the four periods (12) involved in autoxidation are different. These periods ((A) induction period, (B) peroxidation period, (C) period of main autoxidation, and (D) period of decline in autoxidation) are represented in Fig. 1.