upon obtaining the alcohols poorer in carbon. From the Three alcohols can, therefore, be isolated from woolgrease-cholesterin, isocholesterin, and an amorphous alcohol. The properties of the last-mentioned body afford no certainty that it is a definite chemical compound. It may consist of a mixture of several alkaloid bodies. Among the acids separated from the wool-grease, oleic acid seemed present in considerable quantity, but it was not obtained in a state of purity. The quantity of the fatty acids was not sufficient for complete decomposition by the method of fractionated precipitation; however, the presence was proved of a fatty acid with a very high equivalent, perhaps identical with the hyaenic acid of Carius. One hundred parts of the above-named portion of the wool-grease, b, yielded 53.1 parts of wool-grease alcohols. This number is in favour of the supposition that the sparingly soluble portion of this wool-grease only consists of compound ethers. For 100 parts of a mixture (in equivalent proportions) of oleic cholesterin ether, stearic cholesterin ether, and the corresponding isocholesterin compounds, would yield, on decomposition, 58.8 parts of cholesterin+isocholesterin. 100 parts of the analogous oleic and hyaenic compounds would produce 52.5 parts of cholesterin+isocholesterin. The presence of the amorphous alcohol in the mixture would not make much difference in the quantity of alcohol obtained on decomposition, since, judging from the composition of its benzoic ether, it combines with as much acid as does cholesterin. With the sparingly soluble portion of the grease c the 100 parts yielded 47'1 parts of woolgrease alcohols. This quantity is not sufficient to saturate the acids present. A portion of the latter must, therefore, be present in a free condition, and, in fact, that alcoholic extract of this grease has a strongly acid reaction. As was formerly mentioned, on the decomposition of the sparingly soluble portion of the wool-grease earlier examined alcohols and acids were found in such proportions that the presence of free fatty acids was suspected. But this assumption could only be regarded as doubtful, since the question still remained why these free acids were not removed by treatment with spirit of wine. This can now be explained, since it has been shown that in wool-grease there occur fatty acids of high equivalents and sparingly soluble. case was different. 1 The bulk of wool-grease, therefore, consists of compound ethers, but a part of the alcohols (cholesterin, at least), and occasionally of the fatty acids, are in a free condition. PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. MANCHESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY: Ordinary Meeting, December 15, 1874. EDWARD SCHUNCK, PH.D., F.R.S., &c., President, in the Chair. MR. JOSEPH CARRICK and Professor Morrison Watson, Analysis of one of the Trefriw. Mineral Waters," by THOMAS CARNELLEY, B.Sc. Communicated by Professor H. E. Roscoe, F.R.S., &c. An analysis of this strongly ferruginous mineral water has not, so far as the author has been able to learn, been published before any scientific Society; and though two general analyses of it have previously been made, the first by Mr. D. Waldie, in 1844, and the second by Dr. Hassall in 1871, and published in the form of pamphlets for public reading by Dr. Roberts and Dr. Hayward respectively, yet as it is peculiar for the extremely large quantity of iron and alumina that it contains, and as its composition has varied considerably since it was analysed by the last named chemist (whose results also varied from those of the first), it is thought that another and more complete analysis will not be out of place. The village of Trefriw is situated on the left bank of the Conway about 2 miles from Llanrwst and between the latter place and Conway. The springs, which now belong to a company and are often visited by invalids, as they are said to be good for the cure of diseases of the digestive organs and of the skin, are close to the high road which runs between Conway and Llanrwst, and are rather over a mile from the village. The entrance to them is a short way up the side of the mountain called the Alt cae Coch, and consists of an underground passage cut in the rock. There are at present two springs (formerly there were three), one opposite and close to the entrance, the other at the end of a gallery 10 or 12 yards long to the right. The former water is used to supply the baths, and the latter exclusively for drinking; they differ considerably in the relative proportions of their mineral constituents, but it is only the last named which is the subject of this paper. The water, which flows into a basin cut in the rock, is said to be uniform in quantity and issues at the rate of about 40 gallons per hour; its temperature varies only within very narrow limits and is quite cold. As it occurs in the spring it is perfectly clear, bright, and colourless; but after a short exposure to the air it turns yellow and deposits flakes of ferric oxide; it has no smell, but possesses a strong and very disagreeable inky taste. being shaken up in a closed bottle no disengagement of gas takes place; it has a strongly acid reaction, and contains neither free carbonic acid, carbonates, nor sulphides; and when first taken from the spring is perfectly free from ferric salts. On The following (I.) is the analysis made of the water collected by the author on September 8th, 1874, together with that (II.) made by Dr. Hassall in the early part of September, 1871,* or just three years previously. Temperature of the external air air at the spring water 15'5° C. 12.5° C: IIO° C. Specific gravity at 17° C. Loss on ignition Precipitate formed on boiling one hour Iron Aluminium Calcium Magnesium Sodium I. Parts per 1,000,000. 45'4 1513 trace 7217'5 32.8 1507'0 233°3 2713 2009'4 134 I 31.5 25'1 7370 78 6970'9 The residue dried at 310° C.. 149'0 4512'0 10'9 being too large for the total acids, the sum of the oxides (Fe2O3+Al2O3+P2O5) calculated from the Fe, Al, and P2O5, each estimated directly, is rather greater than the result obtained by weighing the three oxides together, the numbers being 2592 and 2570 respectively-difference 22. (3). In the determination of the alumina it was separated from the iron by means of tartaric acid and sulphide of ammonium, and weighed as Al2O3 + P2O5; the difference between this and the determined amount of P205 gave the quantity of alumina. (4). The phosphoric acid was estimated by precipitating with ammonium molybdate, and as the amount was only small, by weighing the precipitate obtained on a constant filter; the calculation was then made from the composition of the precipitate, which contains, according to various authorities, 3142 per cent. P205. (5). The iron was determined directly at the spring with potassium permanganate, and afterwards gravimetrically in the laboratory. The results obtained agreed very nearly. (6). Several determinations were made of the alkalies, but rather varying results, comparatively, could only be obtained for the sodium. The above is the mean of four, of which the highest was 32 and the lowest 22 parts per 1,000,000, the reason being that the quantity of sodium The following table represents the above in combina- present was only very small, so that the traces of it also contained in the reagents had an appreciable effect, though they were as pure as could be obtained. The results got for the potassium, however, agreed very nearly. (7). The lead was determined by the method given in Wanklyn and Chapman's" Water Analysis," as were also the ammonium, albumenoid ammonia, and nitric acid. By a comparison of the above two analyses it is evident that between September, 1871, and September, 1874, the composition of the water has varied considerably, and though the author has not had an opportunity of seeing the analysis made in 1844 by Waldie, yet from Dr. Hassall's report, given in the above-mentioned pamphlet, it would seem that the results there given also vary much from those obtained by Waldie. The quantity of iron appears to have greatly diminished, while, with the exception of SiO2 and chlorine, that of the other constituents occuring in larger quantities has considerably increased. A determination of the iron made last February gave 14 Loss 1575'4 parts per 1,000,000, though in this case the determination was not made till after the water had been collected some days. From this it would seem that the iron is gradually diminishing in quantity. The result, however, obtained by Waldie is very nearly the same as that got by Hassall. trace 6970'9 With reference to this analysis the following observations are to be made : (1). The determination of the total residue was first made at 180° C., as recommended by Fresenius, and the is peculiar, as already mentioned, on account of the large From the analysis it will be seen that the Trefriw water result obtained corresponded to 8100 parts per 1,000,000; it was found however that this was much too high, the quantity of sulphate of iron which it holds in solution; reason being that ferrous sulphate, though it loses six there being, so far as the author has been able to learn, molecules of water at 114° C., yet retains the seventh no spring in the United Kingdom, and perhaps not even even at 280°. In order to drive off this remaining mole-ing to the same amount, while there are only a few springs on the Continent, which contains it in anything approachcule, the residue from 100 c.c. of water was heated in an air bath to 300°-310° and weighed; after repeated heat-known which contain it even in a notable quantity, the ing two successive weighings did not differ by more than a milligramme. In heating to so high a temperature, however, there is a danger of a little sulphuric acid volatilising by decomposition of the sulphate of iron, but by careful heating this may be avoided; a loss of ammonia will, nevertheless, have been incurred, but as this, together with the trace of organic matter, did not amount to more than 8 to 10 parts per 1,000,000, it was not of very much consequence. (2). It will be seen from the table showing the supposed combination of the salts, that the total bases formed were ather more than sufficient to combine with the acids, and he base which is given above as uncombined is alumina, as it is thought that the quantity of this body obtained was rather too high, for, in addition to the total bases Fresenius, "Quantitative Analysis." 4th Edition, p. 560. + Watts, "Dictionary of Chemistry," vol. v., p. 597. analyses of which have been described. The water is alumina and silicic acid which are dissolved in it, while also remarkable for the large quantity of sulphate of the phosphoric and nitric acids, though existing only in small amounts, are rather large compared with what is found in most other mineral waters; on the other hand, the proportion of chlorine is only small. from Dr. Hassall's analysis of the two waters, it appears The other Trefriw mineral spring was not analysed, but alkalies and alkaline earths than the one which is the subto contain less iron and alumina, but a larger quantity of ject of this memoir. the source of the mineral impregnation of the springs, it With regard to the geological position of Trefriw, and may be observed that the mountains at the base of which the wells are situated consist chiefly of beds of limestone, ironstone, alum slate, and iron pyrites, together with vary. ing proportions of silicates, very much fractured and dis located, forming the northern extremity of the Bala or Caradoc beds. Up in the mountains and on these beds lie some small lakes from which the springs are supposed to derive their principal supply of water, which, after percolating through the above beds and dissolving large quantities of their constituents, finds its exit near the base of the mountain Alt cae Coch, where it issues from the slate bed (Black Band), and between it and the ironstone. From the above data the composition of the water is easily accounted for. There are several pyrites mines in the vicinity, one of which is situated just over the springs, but much further up the mountain side. The author has been indebted for Dr. Hassall's analysis and some of his remarks relative to the geological position of the springs to the pamphlet of Dr. Hayward previously mentioned. NOTICES OF BOOKS. THE TESTING OF ARTIFICIAL COLOURS. Die Chemische Prufung der kunstlichen organischen Farbstoffe. Von Dr. Ferd. SpringmühL. Leipzig: Weigel. DR. SPRINGMÜHL, the editor of the Musterzeitung lays before the scientific and technological public, in this pamphlet, an account of the incidental impurities and intentional sophistications occurring in artificial colouring matters, and directions for their detection. Natural organic dyes are to be considered in a future treatise. We may mention as a somewhat disappointing circumstance, that while the introduction leads us to expect some mention of the colouring matters of uric acid and of the alkaloids, they are omitted in the body of the work. As regards picric acid the author finds that oxalic acid is not merely present in many samples as an incidental byproduct, but is sometimes intentionally added to the extent of 20 per cent. Samples of phenyl-brown are sometimes largely adulterated with sawdust and fragments of lignite (brown-coal). Oxalic acid and dinitrophenol are also present. The poisonous properties ascribed to corallin, and to goods dyed with this colour naturally called for the author's attention. He pronounces pure corallin not more poisonous than the remaining phenyl-colours, but finds that it may contain aniline, iodine, mercuric chloride and especially carbolic acid, to which latter he ascribes a great part of the toxic phenomena observed in the case of this dye. For the detection of carbolic acid in corallin he recommends Landolt's test. The sample is dissolved in water, held up to the light and mixed with bromine water. If carbolic acid is present a precipitate or turbidity of tribromphenol appears. Aniline, however, if present, is thrown down at the same time. In his general remarks on the aniline colours the author informs us that:-French qualities are the most frequently adulterated, whether by the manufacturers themselves or by middlemen. English samples, as far as I have had the opportunity of observing, are distinguished by great purity and excellence." Out of 25 specimens of magenta one only was found free from arsenic. In 14 the amount was sufficient for quantitative determination. In four samples the proportions were respectively 6'5, 5'9, 5'9, and 5'1 per cent. Such qualities, of course, must prove dangerous if used for colouring liqueurs, confectionery, and toys. In dyeing, however, the amount of the poisonous matter which attaches itself to the wool is relatively trifling. This the author ascertained by an interesting experiment. In a beaker he dissolved o'r gramme of the most poisonous sample in hot water. The solution, of course, contained 0.0065 gramme of arsenic. In it a square foot of pure wool (woollen tissue) was dyed. It was then well rinsed in a second beaker of pure water, and again in a third. The dyed wool, the residual dye, and the two wash-waters therefore contained o'0065 of arsenic, and it remained to ascertain its distribution. In the dye-bath were found 0'0051 gramme, in the first washing-water o'0010. In the second washing-water the amount was too small to be determined. It, however, and the dyed wool must together contain the residue o‘0005. According to Marsh's test the wool appeared to contain less than the second washing water. Hence a square inch of the woollen could contain scarcely two millionths of a gramme of arsenic. If the proportion of arsenic is low, as in wellpurified magentas, the wool, when dyed gives no indications by Marsh's process. It is of some importance to know of what salt of rosanilin a commercial magenta consists, as the proportion of base varies, the muriate being richer than the acetate. The mercurial process for the manufacture of magenta is still used in some establishments. The author found the crystals of such samples smaller than those of arsenical magentas. Two of the specimens examined contained arsenic, which renders their origin doubtful. In none was mercury detected. The two most frequent adulterants are oxalic acid and sugar. The author has found 21 per cent of the former, and 24 per cent of the latter. Joly has detected sugar to the extent of 50 per cent. Aniline violets are more liable to sophistication than magentas from the fact that they are sold, not in welldefined crystals, but in powder or in cakes. The author has detected gum in a Hofmann's violet to the amount of 12 per cent, and 8 per cent of finely ground charcoal in a common phenyl violet. Aniline blues are treated very briefly. The author does not specify any adulterations as having actually occurred in his investigations, but he recommends consumers to have an eye to the possible presence of sugar. Of 32 samples of iodine-green examined, 5 were unquestionably sophisticated. One contained 18 per cent of sugar. An English sample was cleverly sophisticated with a salt of lead, probably the picrate, and deflagrated when a portion was heated upon platinum foil. Metallic lead was found to the extent of 10 per cent, corresponding to 21 per cent of the picrate. Two other samples contained respectively 14 per cent. of common salt and 26 per cent of magnesia. Oxide of chrome is also a possible adulteration. The finest sample of iodine-green examined was from the manufactory of H. Siegle, in Stuttgart. The author considers that in the production of this beautiful and costly colour the Germans are superior to the English and the French. We shall probably again return to this book on some future occasion. Meantime we feel bound to call to it the especial attention of such of our readers as are connected with dyeing, calico printing, or the manufacture of colours. CORRESPONDENCE. MANUFACTURE OF EXTRACT OF INDIGO. To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR, I have looked in a great many books for information on the manufacture of extract of indigo, but there is no real practical information on it. I contribute this as a help to the human kind. To make what is generally called sour extract of indigo, mix 5 lbs. of best Bengal indigo in 30 lbs. of strong oil of vitriol. Let it stand five days; then put it in a tub and add 40 gallons of boiling-water to it; then filter while hot through strong felt cloth. The filters are usually made this way :-A frame like a table-top, 8 yards long, 2 yards wide. This frame is divided into four filters. Pieces of wood across are put on the top and made to fit the holes (the shape of bowls, with small holes perforated in them); then the felt cloth is put on the top, and the liquid is put on the filter and filtered through. The sediment at the top is used to colour pottery moulds; that which runs through is put in a tub, and 40 lbs of common salt added. Digest for six hours; then put on the filters again for four or five days. That which drains through runs away into the sewers; that on the top of the filters is the extract. For these proportions the extract should weigh 80 lbs.minate the carbonic acid which gives a vinous red to the This is sour extract of indigo of commerce. Free Extract. To make free extract of indigo, put 100 lbs. of the sour extract in a tub, 12 gallons of water as well. Neutralise the acid in the extract with strong sodaash liquor until it is free from any sour taste; then put on the filters for six days. It should weigh 100 lbs. when it comes off. That is free extract of indigo of commerce. -I am, &c., BRADFORD. CHEMICAL NOTICES FROM FOREIGN SOURCES. NOTE. All degrees of temperature are Centigrade, unless otherw se expressed. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences, No. 24, December 14, 1874. Determination of the Speed of Light and of the Solar Parallax.-M. A. Cornu.-The author finds the speed of light in a vacuum = = 300400 kilometres per second of mean time, the probable error being below the onemillionth part. Observations on the Reproduction of the Phylloxera of the Vine.-M. Balbiani.-A very lengthy paper; not adapted for abstraction. The American Species of the Genus Phylloxera.— C. V. Riley. Method Taken for the Discovery of the Substance most Efficacious for Combatting the Phylloxera at the Viticultural Station of Cognac.-M. Max Cornu. Experiments made upon Healthy Vines with Poisonous Substances.-M. Baudrimont. Observations on a Recent Communication by M. Volpicelli on the Electric Influence.-M. E. Blavier. In the Comptes Rendus for November 16 appears a note on electric influence, in which M. Volpicelli cites several experiments, the results of which appear to him opposed to the received theory. The author maintains that the facts in question are perfectly conformable to the theory as established by M. G. Green in 1828, and expounded in the "Theorie Mécanique de la Chaleur" of Briot. Two conductors, placed in connection by means of a metallic wire, assume the same potential or the same tension, and the positive fluid passes from the conductor whose potential is highest to the other. On the other hand, a conductor placed in the neighbourhood of a body positively electrified takes a positive potential. If the latter is conrected to an electrometer whose potential has been brought o zero by a momentary communication with the earth, it loses a part of its positive fluid, which passes into the electrometer, and imparts to it a positive potential evinced by the separation of the movable leaves. This is the case of M. Volpicelli's second experiment. Inconvenience Resulting from the Use of Vessels of Bohemian Glass in Chemical Analysis, and especially in Alkalimetry.-M. P. Truchot.-It is known that glass vessels in which various liquids, and even pure water, are boiled, give up by degrees a small quantity of their substance, silica, potash, soda, and lime. Lavoisier mentioned this reaction in showing that water is not changed into earth by ebullition. In general, the error thus occasioned may be neglected; but this is not the case in alkalimetry, and in the use of boiling-flasks and beakers of Bohemian glass, now commonly employed on account of the ease with which they bear the application of heat. If it is required, for instance, to determine an alkaline carbonate in a liquid, we run into it drop by drop a standard acid until tincture of litmus added turns reddish, and to elilitmus it is raised to a boil. Vessels of Bohemian glass, otherwise well adapted for this operation, after boiling for a few minutes only, give off alkali enough to restore the blue colour of litmus after saturation. The analysis is the more erroneous the longer the boiling is kept up. This, at least, is what results from the use of glasses brought from Germany, and sold at Nancy in 1873 and 1874. This fact may be shown by boiling in a flask pure water mixed with tincture of red cabbage or syrup of violets slightly reddened by an acid. After boiling for a few minutes the liquid turns green. French glasses, with a base of soda, are not sensibly attacked, and therefore do not offer this inconvenience. Action of Hydrogen upon Nitrate of Silver.-M. N. Beketoff. The author concludes from a prolonged series of experiments that pure hydrogen reduces silver, like other metals, from neutral or faintly acid solutions. The negative results of M. Pellet may be explained either from the brief duration of his experiments, or from the too great acidity of his solutions. Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft zu Berlin, No. 13, September 15, 1874. On Maltose.-E. Schulze.-The author's experiments confirm the results of O'Sullivan's experiments, according to which maltose differs from grape-sugar, having the formula C12H22O11; reducing Fehling's liquid in a smaller proportion than grape-sugar, 65 to 66 parts of which reduce as much suboxide of copper as 100 parts of maltose; and having a much greater rotatory power (a=149°5° to 150.6°). Digestion.-S. Radziejewski and E. Salkowski.-The Formation of Asparagic Acid in the Pancreatic authors find the formation of this acid fully demonstrated. Electrolysis of Potassium - Phenylacetate. — T. Slawik.-An examination of the electrolysis of the neutral phenylacetate of potash, of the same salt in alkaline solution, of free aceto-phenylic acid, the oxidation of acetophenylic acid in an alkaline solution by means of permanganate of potash, and the action of ozone upon acetophenylic acid in an alkaline solution. Oxidation of Ortho-Toluylic Acid to Phthalic Acid. W. Weith. The oxidation was effected by means of a mixture of permanganate of potash and hydrate of soda. The yield of phthalic acid was from 85 to 90 per cent of the ortho-toluylic acid employed. Structure of the Derivatives of Benzol.-E. Wroblevski. Decomposition of Certain Diazo Compounds by Water.-E. Wroblevski.--Hypothetical papers. Remarks on the Investigation of Hübner and Griess.-E. Wroblevski.-The author controverts the statement of Hübner and Griess that when a sulpho group is introduced into meta-brom-toluol one acid only is formed. A Communication.-Rörsch and Fassbender.-The authors point out that a body resembling the alkaloids in its general behaviour with reagents may be developed from the liver in chemico-legal investigations. An experiment made with the recent liver of an ox yielded a body which, both in acid and alkaline solutions, was taken up by ether, and behaved like an alkaloid. Prof. Gunning, in investigating a case of poisoning by "liver-sausage" at Middleburg, obtained a similar body from a healthy boiled liver. Great care is therefore requisite in the application of the Stass-Otto method iu toxicological examinations. Simple Preparation of the Colouring Matter of Urine from Hæmatin.-F. Hoppe-Seyler.-Jaffe's urobilin, or Maly's hydro-bilirubin, are identical with a pigment which the author previously obtained by treating an alcoholic solution of hæmatin with a reducing mixture of tin and hydrochloric acid. Remarks on M. Traube's Communication on the "Behaviour of Alcohol-Yeast in Media free from Oxygen Gas.-Oscar Brefeld.-In a paper read before the Chemical Society at Berlin, June 22, Traube maintains that "(1) Germs of yeast do not develope themselves in the absence of free oxygen, even in the most favourable media. (2) On the other hand, developed yeast, as Pasteur declares, can increase in suitable media, even n the absence of every trace of free oxygen." On this Brefeld remarks-As yeast germs and developed yeast are one and the same thing, namely, simple yeast cells; as, further, between development" and "increase" there is no primary physiological distinction, it follows that in his second proposition Traube contradicts what he has laid down in his first. Aromatic Phosphorus Compounds.-A. Michaelis and C. Mathias.-An examination of phospho-phenylic acid and its derivatives. Constitution of Sulphurous Ethylic Ether.-A. Michaelis and G. Wagner.- A hypothetical paper. Constitution of "Chamber Crystals."-A. Michaelis and O. Schumann.-The authors remark that chamber crystals are generally regarded as the nitro compound of sulphuric acid, although this view is not based upon direct experiment. They find that chamber crystals, more correctly known as nitro-sulphonic acid, are mainly decomposed by perchloride of phosphorus in a manner accordant with this view, yielding the corresponding chloro-sulphonic acid. Compounds of the Urethans with Aldehyds.-C. Bischoff. The compounds examined are those of cinnamic aldehyd and ethyl-urethan; salicylic acid and urethan; furfurol and urethan; aldehyd and propyl-urethan; oil of bitter almonds and propyl-urethan; and valeral and xanthogenamid. Improved Apparatus for Fractional Distillation.J. A. Le Bel and A. Henninger.-Not intelligible without the accompanying illustration. Remarks on Armstrong and Prevost's Communication on the Behaviour of Nitrophenol Melting at 45° with Bromine and Chlorine.-H. Hübner. The author considers that Messrs. Armstrong and Prevost have obtained in their experiments a mixture of ortho- and parabrom-phenol. Certain Derivatives of Phenanthren.-E. Ostermayer. The compounds examined are bromised phenanthrenchinon; dibrom-diphenic acid, C14H8, Br2O4; and diphenic ethyl-ether. On Acenaphthylen.--M. Blumenthal.-The author has examined acenaphthylen-bromide and its derivatives. Preparation of Stilben and Certain of its Compounds.-F. C. Lorenz.-Large quantities of stilben were passed slowly-one drop in ten seconds-over oxide of lead at a dark red-heat in an iron tube. The distillate was partly solid, partly liquid. The former portion consisted chiefly of stilben. The latter portion was stilben along with other hydrocarbons dissolved in unchanged toluol. On distilling off the toluol there remained a semisolid body, which, when united to the solid distillate, amounted to 18 per cent of the toluol employed. It was obtained perfectly pure by re-crystallisation from alcohol. The accompanying hydrocarbons were diphenyl, phenanthren, anthracen, and certain liquid bodies. Benzyltoluol and naphthalin were not detected. Colouring Matters obtained from Aromatic Oxy Compounds and Nitrous Acid.-C. Liebermann.(Phenol Colouring Matter.) 5 grms. of phenol were mixed with an equal volume of concentrated sulphuric acid and well cooled, to prevent the formation of phenol-parasulphuric acid. The amount of the reagent required (sulphuric acid mixed with 5 per cent nitrite of potash) was 20 grms. This was added, with agitation, in such portions that the temperature rose permanently to 40° to 50° without becoming higher. The solution was at first brown, then a fine blue. The operation, with the quantities indicated, lasted fifteen minutes. At last there was a faint disengagement of gas. On cooling, the solution was poured with constant stirring into a large amount of cold water, filtered, concentrated in a porcelain vessel, and dried in the exsiccator. The substance thus treated can be dried at 130° without undergoing any change. It is a brown powder, readily soluble in alcohol. In alkalies it dissolves with a royal-blue colour. Its composition is C18H15NO3. (Orcin Colour.)-10 grms. orcin, 10 grms. sulphuric acid, 40 grms. of the reagent. The solution must become a fine purple red. When poured into an excess of water it yields a pure orange-red precipitate. The alkaline solution is purple with scarlet fluorescence. After washing for several days it is dissolved in alcohol, filtered, and evaporated. It forms a splendid cantharides like mass. Other colouring matters are obtained at the same time,varying in solubility. (Thymol Colour.)-10 grms. thymol in fine powder, 10 grms. sulphuric acid, 40 grms. of the reagent. In this case the reagent must be added immediately after the mixture with sulphuric acid. The solution is first green, and then blue; the disengagement of gas must be avoided. The double volume of sulphuric acid is then added, and the whole allowed to stand for some hours. It is then precipitated by being poured into excess of water, filtered, and washed perfectly. A violet resinous mass, soluble in alcohol, with a fine violetred colour. an Action of Hydriodic Acid upon Santonic Acid, and on Meta-Santonin.-S. Cannizzaro and Amato.-Metasantonin is formed from santonic acid by the elimination of water. It is not formed in the period of the first action of hydriodic acid and phosphorus upon santonic acid, but after the lapse of several days. New Formation of Phthalic Acid.-W. Weith and R. Bindschedler.-In preparing anthrachinon-sulphuric acid, a large quantity of a body was obtained, which sublimed in large colourless needles, and dissolved in boiling water, from which it separated out in shining scales. It proved to be phthalic acid. Nitrile and Amide of "Hydroxyl-Caprylic Acid," and the Amide of Amido-Caprylic Acid.-E. Erlenmayer and O. Sigel.-The nitrile in question is a colourless oily fluid of peculiar odour, which floats upon water, and dissolves in it very sparingly. It is readily soluble in alcohol and ether. With fuming hydrochloric acid it forms white, silky, crystalline leaflets. This is the amide. a clear liquid, which, on cooling, congeals to a paste of True Leucic Acid Nitrile, and on the Leucic Acid therein Contained.-E. Erlenmayer and O. Sigel.-The true nitrile, differing essentially from that described by Bopp, is a colourless oil, which floats upon water without dissolving. With ether and alcohol it is miscible in every proportion. At the heat of the water-bath it suffers no change, but at higher temperatures it splits up into hydrocyanic acid and amylic aldehyd. |