246 Intelligence arul Miscellaneous Articles. 



to one litre and a half of alcohol, than six times the quantity of 

 cochineal. 



Erythrosate of ammonia, after evaporating the excess of ammonia, 

 possesses the same properties as the potash salt ; but its colouring 

 power is four times greater, and may be advantageously employed 

 as red ink and for colouring soaps. 



It appears that Russian rhubarb possesses the greatest colouring 

 power, then Chinese, and lastly indigenous rhubarb ; but the last- 

 mentioned affords the most brilliant colour as a dye. — Journ. de 

 Pharm. et de Chem., Janvier 1850. 



ACTION OF PHOSPHORIC ACID ON CHOLESTRINE. 

 BY M. C. ZWENGER. 



Cholestiine is readily decomposed by concentrated phosphoric acid. 

 The products of this decomposition, like those obtained by the action 

 of sulphuric acid, are solid and well-defined carburetted hydrogens ; 

 but by their physical properties they are clearly distinguished from 

 those obtained with sulphuric acid. 



When one part of cholestrine is treated with six or eight parts of 

 concentratedphosphoricacid.andthe mixture is evaporated till its tem- 

 perature reaches 278° F., the fusing point of cholestrine, this substance 

 is completely decomposed. On the cooling of the fused mass, which 

 must not have its temperature increased, a matter is obtained which 

 has lost all crystalline appearance, and contains two carburetted 

 hydrogens, cholesteron and cholestearon ; these two carburets are 

 separated by boiling alcohol, which dissolves the cholesteron. After 

 purification bj'^ repeated crystallizations from absolute alcohol, this 

 substance is obtained in brilliant rhombic prisms which fuse at 154° F. 

 At a higher temperature the cholesteron boils, and may be distilled 

 almost unaltered. It burns with a sooty flame ; nitric acid oxidizes 

 it, aijd sulphuric acid renders it of a red colour. It is insoluble in 

 water, slightly soluble in cold alcohol, more soluble in it when con- 

 centrated and boiling, and very soluble in aether. Its mean compo- 

 sition is — 



Carbon 87-78 



Hydrogen 12-22 



100-00 



Cholestearon is obtained in boiling the residue which has been ex- 

 hausted by alcohol in tether. By cooling and evaporation of the 

 sethereal solution, the new carburetted hydrogen is deposited in the 

 form of a crystalline mass, which is readily purified by repeated so- 

 lution in aether. 



Cholestearon crystallizes from its sethereal solution in white silky 

 needles, forming an interwoven mass. It dissolves with difficulty 

 in aether, very slightly in alcohol, and not at all in water. Its proper 

 solvents are the fixed oils. It fuses at about 347° F. At a higher 

 temperature it distils, undergoing alteration. It burns with a sooty 



