14 Darracq's Olfcrvations 



between thefe two acids, only that the acetic acid emits A 

 tlio-lu emnyreumatic odour. 

 I took 2000 parts of acetous acid, which I put into a retort 

 with 500 parts of nitric acid. The apparatus being properly 

 diipoicd for collecting the liquid and gafeous produces, the 

 mixture was carried to the ftate of ebullition, and continued 

 till the 2000 parts nearly of the acetous acid employed were 

 diltiiled. No gas palled during the operation, and the pro- 

 duct, when examined, fhowed no mark of alteration, its fpe- 

 cine gravity being equal to that of the acid employed, that is 

 to fay, 1*007, When combined with oxide of lead, I ob- 

 tained, by proper evaporation, a cryftallized fait, which was 

 found to be common acetite of lead : it appears to be nearly 

 certain that the acetous acid experienced no change during 

 this operation ; its odour was neither ftronger nor more pe- 

 netrating than that of the acetous acid employed, and its fa- 

 vour was neither ftronger nor more pungent. 



By a fecond experiment I again endeavoured to oxygenate, 

 if poffible, the acetous acid. For this purpofe I prepared 

 what was neceflary to obtain oxygenated muriatic acid gas, 

 and the apparatus being arranged the gas was received in a 

 fia(k containing acetous acid : after more than a fufficient 

 quantity had palled over, the apparatus was nnluted, and the 

 acid collected was carefully examined. 



As the odour of the oxygenated muriatic acid conceals that 

 of the acetous acid, the product was placed in a capfule, and 

 expofed to a gentle heat. When the greater part of the oxy- 

 genated muriatic acid had been deftroyed, the acetous acid 

 exhibited no fenfible change 5 its favour only appeared to be 

 ftronger; on account, no doubt, of the muriatic acid which 

 it contained. When combined, like that of the ftrft experi- 

 ment, with oxide of lead, I obtained a needle-formed crys- 

 tallization of muriate of lead ; and then a iecond fait, perfectly 

 iimilar to common acetite of lead, and to that of the firft ex- 

 periment. I am therefore of opinion, efpecially when I call to 

 mind the numerous experiments of C. Adet, that w e may afiert 

 that there do not exift two degrees of oxygenation in vinegar. 

 Other experiments would be Superfluous, fince, as I have 

 already faid, chemifts are agreed on this point; but that on 

 which opinions diner, is in regard to the different proportions 

 of the carbon : the experiments I made on this fubject I mall 

 here defcribe. 



Exp. I. After having brought the acetic and acetous acids, 

 as in the former cafe, to the fame degree of fpecific gravity, 

 I Saturated a given quantity of pure and cryftallized carbonate 



of 



