^16 JVf. Jtilin on a peculiar Substance obtained [March, 



Article XII. 



X)n a peculiar Substance obtained during the Distillation of 

 Nitric Acid. By M. Julin, of Abo. 



I HAVE observed during the distillation ofnitric acid from a mix- 

 ture of crude nitre with calcined sulphate of iron, that when a 

 peculiar kind of the calcined vitriol (known in Sweden under the 

 name of calcined aquafortis vitriol, No. 3*) was used, the first 

 conducting tubef was hned with a yellow substance, which 

 proved to be sulphur ; the second tube became internally 

 covered with tine white feathery crystals, nearly resembling the 

 icy film formed upon windows on a cold winter morning. 1 col- 

 lected this substance by washing the tube with water ; the 

 •quantity obtained by each distillation was exceedinsjly small, 

 amounting to only a few grains. This substance is white, consists 

 of small fibres, which adhere to each other, and it feels soft to the 

 touch ; it sinks slowly in water, and is insoluble in it, whether 

 cold or boiling, but the vapour of boihng water carries up a small 

 portion of it. 



> It is tasteless, but has a very peculiar smell, which I have 

 isome difficulty in comparing with any other substance, but it 

 somewhat resembles that of spermaceti. Muriatic acid does not 

 act upon it ; nor does nitric acid of specific gravity 145, but the 

 acid, after having boiled with it, showed some shght traces of 

 sulphuric acid on the addition of nitrate of barytes. When 

 boiled in concentrated sulphuric acid, it sublimed through it 

 unchanged. 



: A strong solution of caustic potash dissolved a very inconsi- 

 derable portion of it, and gave with acetic acid a trifling precipi- 

 tate, which was too small to be examined, excepting as to 

 -colour, and from this and a slight smell of sulphuretted hydrogen 

 gas, I judged it to be sulphur. 



Oil of turpentine dissolves it easily, when heated. On cool- 

 ing, a great part crystallizes in small needles ; it also dissolves 

 easily in boiling alcohol of 0*816. On coofing, the greater 

 part is deposited in crystalline fibres, but a small portion re- 

 mains dissolved ; for the solution, on being poured into water,, 

 renders it turbid. The alcoholic solution, when distilled with a 

 gentle heat, left the greatest part of this substance in the retort, 

 but the distilled alcohol still retained enough to render water 

 turbid by precipitation. 



» This vitriol crystallizes in the water of the mine of Fahlun, and collected from the 

 Toek after the water has been pumped out, it is impure, and contains generally a small 

 portion of pyrites. 



^ The dutillation it carried on in an iron retort, with a receiver connected by glafll 

 <ubei in the manner of • \Voulfe*s apparatud. 



