164 Dr. Schunck on the Action of 



products, 2 lbs, of cane-sugar were dissolved in water, and the 

 usual quantities of ferment and lime-water were added. After 

 two days the mixture was found to be in a state of active fer- 

 mentation. A portion of it was then introduced into a capacious 

 bottle, leaving a small space at the top, which was filled up with 

 oil in order to prevent frothing. The gas was allowed to escape 

 through a bent tube carried through the cork. In order to expel 

 all the air which might be left in the apparatus, the disengage- 

 ment of gas was allowed to proceed for a whole day before any 

 of it was collected for examination. Six cubic inches were then 

 collected in a graduated tube over mercury. Caustic soda was 

 then introduced into the tube in order to absorb the carbonic 

 acid. The residual gas consisted almost entirely of hydrogen. 

 Its amount was determined by means of oxygen and spongy 

 platinum. After making the necessary corrections for tempera- 

 ture and pressure, the 6 cubic inches of mixed gas were found 

 to consist of 4*90 carbonic acid, 0*96 hydrogen, and 0*14 atmo- 

 spheric air or nitrogen. The day afterwards I collected 5*16 

 cubic inches of gas, and found it to contain 4*41 carbonic acid 

 and 0*75 hydrogen. Three days later again, 5*77 cubic inches 

 of gas were collected, and found to be composed of 4*86 car- 

 bonic acid, 0-76 hydrogen, and 0'15 atmospheric air or nitrogen. 

 According to these three determinations, the proportion of hy- 

 drogen to carbonic acid was respectively as 1 : 5*10, 1 : 5 '88, 

 and 1 : 6*39. It appears, therefore, that the carbonic acid in- 

 creased in quantity relatively to the hydrogen, as the fermenta- 

 tion proceeded. 



The liquid products of the fermentation were examined in the 

 following manner. A solution of 4 lbs. of cane-sugar was mixed 

 with 19 quarts of brown pulp, to which lime-water had been 

 previously added in the usual proportion. The mixture was 

 allowed to ferment for about two weeks, during which time much 

 gas was disengaged. The liquid, which had acquired an acid 

 reaction, was then strained through calico, after which it mea- 

 sured 36 quarts. These 36 quarts were introduced into a still, 

 and distilled until 8 quarts had passed over. By a second distil- 

 lation I obtained 2 quarts, and by a third distillation 12 fluid 

 ounces of a liquid, which was inflammable, alcoholic in taste and 

 smell, devoid of acid reaction, and having a specific gravity of 

 0-973. Assuming it to consist entirely of alcohol and water, of 

 which there is little doubt, the 12 fluid ounces of this specific 

 gravity would correspond to 1072|^ grs, of absolute alcohol. 

 The only peculiarity which I noticed about it as distinguishing 

 it from ordinary spirits of wine from other sources, was, that it 

 appeared to be filled with a quantity of small, white, glistening, 

 micaceous scales, which gave the liquid when agitated the ap- 



