substance became solid and of a line red colour, which disappeared upon fusion. The odour of the substance with the acid was exceedingly like that of almonds, and it is probable that hydrocyanic acid was formed. When washed with water, it appeared to have undergone little or no change.
Sulphuric acid added to it over mercury exerted a moderate action upon it, little or no heat was evolved, no blackening took place, no sulphurous acid was formed; but the acid became of a light yellow colour, and a portion of a clear colourless fliuid Heated, which appeared to be a product of the action. When separated, it was found to be bright and clear, not affected by water or more sulphuric acid, solidifying at about 34°, and being then white, crystalline, and dendritical. The substance was lighter than water, soluble in alcohol, the solution being precipitated by a small quantity of water, but becoming clear by great excess[1].
With regard to the composition of this substance, my experiments tend to prove it a binary compound of carbon and hydrogen, two proportionals of the former element being united to one of the latter. The absence of oxygen is proved by the inaction of potassium, and the results obtained when passed through a red-hot tube.
The following is a result obtained when it was passed in
- ↑ The action of sulphuric acid on this and the other compounds to be described is very remarkable. It is frequently accompanied with heat; and large quantities of those bodies which have elasticity enough to exist as vapours when alone at common pressures, are absorbed. No sulphurous acid is produced; nor when the acid is diluted does any separation of the gas, vapour, or substance take place, except of a small portion of a peculiar product resulting from the action of the acid on the substances, and dissolved by it. The acid combines directly with carbon and hydrogen; and I find when united with bases forms a peculiar class of salts, somewhat resembling the sulphovinates, but still different from them. I find also that sulphuric acid will condense and combine with olefiant gas, no carbon being separated, or sulphurous or carbonic acid being formed; and this absorption has in the course of eighteen days amounted to 847 volumes of olefiant gas to one volume of sulphuric acid. The acid produced combines with bases, &c., forming peculiar salts, which I have not yet had time, but which it is my intention to examine, as well as the products formed by the action of sulphuric acid on naphtha, essential oils, &c., and even upon starch and lignine, in the production of sugar, gum. &c., where no carbonisation takes place, but where similar results seem to occur.
