226 Br. Andrew Steel [March 



subject of investigation, and with results so closely agreeing 



leave no doubt of its being a compound of 



1 Atom Olefant gas . . . . 1*75 

 1 Atom water 1*125 



2-875 

 or at least of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen in these pro- 

 portions. 



For its preparation various processes have been recom- 

 mended by different writers. Mixing it with substances 

 having a powerful affinity for water, as the diliquescent 

 salts, and distilling, or by placing it along with the same 

 salts, or what is preferable, with quick lime in separate 

 vessels under an exhausted receiver. 



It is not a matter of indifference however, which of these 

 processes are followed, as the specific gravity of the result- 

 ing alcohol will be found to differ ; that obtained by ab- 

 stracting the water by means of quick-lime, will in general 

 be found heavier than that obtained by distillation from the 

 deliquescent salts, more especially carbonate of potash. 

 This has been accounted for by supposing the formation of 

 a little ether during the process. 



The real reason we believe to be the presence of a small 

 variable quantity of one or more peculiar oils, of which 

 every specimen of commercial spirit that we have had an 

 opportunity of examining contains more or less ; the origin 

 and nature of which we shall endeavour to ascertain more 

 particularly afterwards. 



When carbonate of potash is employed, the greatest part 

 of this oily matter is separated, while, by the other process, it 

 is allowed to remain ; hence, the reason of the difference in 

 specific gravity ; the correctness of this supposition could 

 only be proved by ascertaining the specific gravity of the 

 oil itself, the small quantity that we have been able to 

 procure has rendered this impracticable, not more indeed 

 than to allow us from its properties to decide that it was 

 an oil. # 



* It has often been remarked that when potash or its carbonate is added to 

 spirits, and the mixture allowed to stand for sometime, it becomes yellow coloured, 

 this, in place of being occasioned by the decomposition of the alcohol, we believe 

 to be only a test of the presence of the above mentioned oil. 



