378 Pyroxy lie Spirit and its Compounds » [Nov. 



rectified with caustic-barytes, to get rid of sulphurous acid. 

 Lastly, it is kept for some time in a vacuum with concen- 

 trated sulphuric acid and potash. It possesses a smell of 

 garlic. Sp. gr. 1-324. Boiling point 71° J. The density 

 of its vapour is 4*565. It consists of CH -f SO^ +H O. 

 Its atomic weight is, therefore, 7* 



6. Nitrate of Carbydrogen, may be obtained by distilling 

 50 parts of nitrate of potash, 50 of pyroxylic spirit, and 100 

 sulphuric acid. A thick and colourless ether remains at 

 the bottom, which must be separated from that which swims 

 over it, by decantation and distillation several times, with a 

 mixture of massicot and chloride of calcium. Even yet it 

 is not pure, for a portion of it boils at 140°. When the 

 temperature rises to 150° the remainder is nitrate of carby- 

 drogen. It burns with a yellow flame. Sp. gr. 1-182. 

 When heated in a tube it detonates violently, which renders 

 it difficult to analyze it. It is easy to see the cause of 

 this, because it contains nitric acid, hydrogen, and carbon, 

 like gunpowder. The density of its vapour is 2-640. Its 

 composition is probably Az O^ 4- CH. 



7. Oxalate of Carhydrogen is obtained by distilling equal 

 parts of sulphuric acid, oxalic acid, and pyroxylic spirit. 

 A liquid is procured which, in the air, crystallizes in rhom- 

 boidal plates. When the distillation has terminated, the 

 retort is cooled, and 1 part of pyroxylic spirit is added, and 

 distillation performed again with the same results. The 

 crystals are laid on filtering paper, purified by fusion in an 

 oil bath, and distilled over massicot, to deprive them of 

 oxalic acid. They fuse at 124°. Oxalate of carhydrogen 

 dissolves in cold water. It dissolves in alcohol and py- 

 roxylic spirit. Ammonia changes it into oxamide. It con- 

 sists of CH 4- C2 03 + Aq. 



8. Acetate of Carhydrogen, may be readily procured by 

 distilling 2 parts of pyroxylic spirit with 1 part of crystal- 

 lizable acetic acid, and 1 part of common sulphuric acid. 

 The product is agitated with chloride of calcium which 

 separates an ether containing much acetate of carhydrogen. 

 A little sulphurous acid and pyroxylic spirit remain, which 

 may be removed by agitation with caustic lime, and digestion 

 for 24 hours with chloride of calcium. The density of its 

 vapour is 2-563. It consists of C H -|- C* H^ O^ -f H O. 

 It boils at 136^i. Its density is -919. 



