Chemical Science, 359 



by M. Vauquelin. — This substance was collected from the surface 

 oi the mineral water of Vichy, from a spring called I'HOpital, by 

 M. D'Arcet, and sent to M. Vauquelin, who examined it experimen- 

 tally. It was contained in a bottle, in a state partly liquid and 

 partly solid. The fluid part, first examined, was green by re- 

 fracted light, red by reflected light : paper dipped into it, became 

 tinged green, which, by slowly drying became clear blue. Caus- 

 tic alkali appeared to destroy the colour of the paper, but dilute 

 nitric acid, after a certain time, fully restored it, and after a 

 longer time reddened it. It was not sensibly alkaline. Acids 

 caused coagulation, and the filter then separated bluish-green 

 gelatinous flocculi, a brown fluid passing. The flocculi formed a 

 reddish-purple solution in carbonate of potash. When a few 

 drops of nitric acid were added to this alkaline solution, a green 

 precipitate becoming fine blue on slight excess of acid was 

 formed. The flocculi were of an animal nature, and affected by 

 heat like albumen. 



Alcohol with the liquid separates green flocculi and a brown 

 saline animalized matter remains in solution. Chlorine and 

 nitric acid destroy the green colour and produce a red. Thus 

 acids and alkalies act upon this colouring matter in a contrary 

 manner to what they do on common vegetable colouring matter. 



A portion of the liquid, to which nitric acid had been added 

 and "then evaporated to a syrup, was coagulated by alcohol ; the 

 deposited matter gave ammonia when decomposed by heat ; the 

 solution was found to yield crystals of nitrate of soda. A heat 

 of 65° R. (17S° F.) coagulated the green liquor; the aqueous part 

 separated, was found by tests of silver and lead to contain a minute 

 quantity of sulphur. 



When the liquid was evaporated, brown pellicles formed on its 

 surface of an albuminous appearance. When much concen- 

 trated it became decidedly acid and had a sugary taste. As, 

 when evaporated and calcined, it yields carbonate of soda, the 

 acidity must be due to some organic acid. Notwithstanding the 

 pellicles deposited, much animal matter remained in solution, con- 

 ferring the property of precipitating abundantly by infusion of 

 galls. 



By further experiments, it was found that the acid was the 

 acetic, and both acetate of soda and lime were separated. These, 

 though found in considerable quantity had not existed originally 

 in the water, but had been formed in the bottle from the produc- 

 tion of acetic acid, and its combination with the bases present. 

 Ammonia was searched for but none found. 



Tiie green colouring matter is evidently very fugaceous, in- 

 asmuch as the heat of 212° destroys it. Whilst dissolved in the 

 mineral water it probably has no colour, the water of Vichy 

 being colourless. M. Vauquelin think*, that th« circumstance of 



