1835.] Pyroxylic Spirits and its Compounds. 377 



mission, proceeding from their ignorance of the experiments 

 referred to. 



3. Hydro-chlorate of Carbydrogen, or of methylene, ac- 

 cording to Dumas, is prepared by heating a mixture of 2 

 parts of common sali^ 1 part of pyroxylic spirt, and 3 parts 

 of concentrated sulphuric acid. A gas comes over which 

 may be collected over water. It is a neutral body. It 

 is colourless, smells of ether, with a sweet taste ; burns with 

 a white flame, having green edges. Water absorbs 2*8 

 times its volume at the temperature of 61°. It does not 

 liquify at zero. Its density is 1*736. Hence, its composi- 

 tion is, 1 atom carbydrogen . . '4860 '875 

 1 atom hydrochloric acid 1*2847 4*625 



1*7707 5-500 

 Its formula is therefore CH, + Ch H. This gas is de- 

 composed into hydrochloric acid and carbydrogen by a red 

 heat. 



4. Hydriodate of Carbydrogen^ is formed by distilling 1 

 part of phosphorus, 8 parts of iodine, and 12 or 15 pyroxylic 

 spirit. The iodine is to be dissolved in the pyroxylic spirit, 

 the solution placed in a retort, and the phosphorus added 

 gradually; a lively action ensues. When it has subsided the 

 rest of the phosphorus is added, and the mixture distilled. 

 An ether passes over, consisting of pyroxylic spirit and 

 hydriodate of carbydrogen. The latter is separated by the 

 addition of water, which immediately precipitates it. This 

 hydriodate is still impure, and requires to be distilled over 

 an excess of chloride of calcium and massicot, in a water- 

 bath. When pure it is colourless; slightly combustible, 

 sp. gr. 2*237 at 71 J°. Boils at 104° or 122°. The density 

 of its vapour is 4*883 by experiment. Hence, it consists of 

 1 vol. hydriodic acid . . 4*4097 

 1 ,, carbydrogen . . . '4860 



4*8957 

 5. Sulphate of Carbydrogen, an oily substance produced 

 by distilling 1 part of pyroxylic spirit with 8 or 10 parts of 

 concentrated sulphuric acid. It is separated by decantation 

 from the liquid with which it is mixed. It is then agitated 

 with a little water, to separate sulphuric acid, then with 

 chloride of calcium, to remove the water, and is afterwards 



