1835.] Improvements in Science. 205 



continuing the process water is produced, and a second oil, 

 which boils about 250°, (482° F.) 



1. It holds in soluticfti a third substance, which has a 

 white colour, and crystalline structure. It is naphthaline. 

 The oil, at 20°, assumes the appearance of an emulsion, and 

 is termed by Peligot benzone, in conformity with acetone 

 and margarone. Benzone consists of 



Carbon . . . 86-5 

 Hydrogen . . 5*4 

 Oxygen ... 8*1 



100-0 



It is a thick oil, colourless when pure, but generally pos- 

 sesses an amber tint, with a slightly empyreumatic smell, 

 and it is lighter than water. It is not attacked by nitric 

 acid and potash, but is decomposed by sulphuric acid. 



2. The naphthaline is perfectly white, fuses at 78°, 

 (172° F.), boils at 210°, (410° F.), and consists of 



Carbon . . . 93*86 

 Hydrogen . 6*14 



100-00 



3. The oil procured by the gentle distillation is colour- 

 less, lighter than water, boils at 82° (179° F.) and possesses 

 an aromatic smell. It consists of 



Carbon . . . 92-45 

 Hydrogen. . . 7-55 



100-00 

 and is therefore a bicarburet of hydrogen. 



Peligot conceives, however, that if the decomposition of 

 the benzoate of lime could be effected at a moderate tem- 

 perature, nothing but benzone would be produced, and 

 carbonate of lime would remain. The formula for benzoate 

 of lime according to the experiments of Wohler and Liebig 

 will be : 14 C + 6 H + 40 + C. 



If we take from this an atom of carbonate of lime, we 

 have remaining for the composition of benzone, 



13 C + 6 H + 2 O, {Ann. de Chim., lvi, 59.) 



Mitscherlich # has examined the same substance under 



* Pogg. Annal. xxix. 231. 



