430 Miscellaneous Intelligence, 



bromine. When cold, an alcoholic solution of caustic potassa is 

 to be added, until the colour is gone ; a little water is then to be 

 put in, and the alcohol evaporated at a moderate temperature. As 

 it cools, a small quantity of heavy yellow oil separates, and im- 

 mediately after a crystalline concrete substance ; or if the alcoholic 

 solution be diluted with much water, the separation is equally 

 effected. The other process is to put bromine into ether, leave 

 them together some time, and then distil. At first hydrobromic 

 acid passes over, and then a heavy clear oil. When the distilla- 

 tion has continued some time it is to be discontinued, solution of 

 pure potassa added to the residue, and the whole diluted ; a 

 white voluminous substance separates, which being washed with 

 water on a filter, and fused at a low temperature, becomes solid 

 on cooling: this is bromide of carbon. 



Bromide of carbon forms white opaque scales, soft and greasy 

 to the touch, like camphor ; friable, having an aromatic odour like 

 nitric ether, and a sharp taste resembling that of peppermint. 

 When liquid it is transparent and colourless ; it burns in contact 

 with flame, disengaging hydrobromic acid. It is heavier than 

 water, easily fuses, boils at 212°, and sublimes, condensing into 

 nacreous needles. It dissolves slightly in water, communicating 

 its particular taste and smell. It fuses under water at 122° Fah. ; 

 at a higher degree it evaporates with the water. It dissolves rea- 

 dily in alcohol and ether, and is not then affected by nitrate of 

 silver : alkalies have no action upon it ; sulphuric, nitric, and mu- 

 riatic acids have no action upon it. When fused in chlorine gas, 

 chloride of bromine is formed ; when heated with metallic oxides or 

 metals, it is decomposed, forming bromides and either carbonic acid 

 or carbon, according to circumstances. Being analyzed, it was 

 found to be composed of 9.01 carbon and 91.99 bromine. — Bull, 

 tiniv. A. xiii. 53. 



27. Anhydrous Subcarbonate of Ammonia. Van Mons. — A 

 mixture of calcined carbonate of potassa and sal alembroth (am- 

 monio-muriate of mercury) is to be sublimed in a small dry retort. 

 The anhydrous salt obtained has only a momentary existence, and 

 the contact of the smallest quantity of water is sufficient to take 

 from it a part of the carbonic acid. — Bull. Univ. A. xiii. 132. 



28. Manufacture of Bicarbonate of Soda. — M. Creuzberg has 

 found a ready mode for the manufacture of this salt, in the circum- 

 stance that the dry alkalies absorb carbonic acid much more quickly 

 than those in solution. Carbonate of soda is therefore deprived of 

 much of its water by efflorescence, and is then subjected to a current 

 of carbonic acid gas until the bicarbonate is formed ; the time 

 when this takes place is rendered evident by the evolution of heat, 

 and the exhalation of water, which is deposited in drops upon the 

 interior of the vessel. — Bull. Univ. A. xiii. 134. 



