188 Scientific Intelligence. 



were supppsed by M. Longchamp to be free from animal matter, yield am- 

 monia by distillation. The reasonings in favour of the second statement 

 M. Gay-Lussac declares to be vague and inaccurate. He admits that ni- 

 tric acid may, from some unknown causes, be generated without the aid 

 of azotized matters ; but contends that the idea of its being exclusively 

 found in that way is quite untenable. He affirms that the most ignorant 

 manufacturer of salpetre is aware that animal matters assist very powerful- 

 ly in the formation of that salt, and that they do so on quite different prin- 

 ciples than by affording moisture. 



12. Solidification of Bromine and some new compounds of that substance. 

 By M. Serullas. — Ann. de Chimie et de Physique^ vol. xxxiv. The soli- 

 dification of bromine takes place at a temperature between and — - 4° F. 

 In the solid state it is friable. 



13. Hydrocarburet of Bromine. — This compound was formed by adding 

 one part of the hydrocarburet of iodine to two parts of bromine con- 

 tained in a glass tube. Instantaneous reaction ensues, attended with dis- 

 engagement of caloric and a hissing noise, and two new compounds, the 

 bromuret of iodine, and a liquid hydrocarburet of bromine are generated. 

 By means of water the former is dissolved, while the latter, coloured by 

 bromine, collects at the bottom of the liquid. The decoloration is then 

 affected by means of caustic potash. If in this process the hydrocarbu- 

 ret of iodine is in excess, very little hydrocarburet of bromine is formed ; 

 but a sub-bromuret of iodine, analogous to the sub-chloride of iodine de- 

 scribed by Gay-LussaCj will then be obtained. 



The hydro-carburet of bromine, after being washed with solution of 

 potash, is colourless, heavier than water, very volatile, of a penetrating 

 ethereal odour, and of an exceedingly sweet taste, which it communicates 

 to water in which it is placed, in consequence of being slightly soluble in 

 that liquid. It hence appears that its properties are absolutely the same 

 as those of the liquid proto-hydrocarburet of iodine described by M. Serul- 

 las in the 25th vol. of the An. de Ch. et de Fhysiqiie* Chemically, how- 

 ever, it differs from this compound in yielding bromine instead of iodine 

 when decomposed, in forming white instead of violet vapours when thrown 

 on red-hot porcelain, and in not acquiring a colour by exposure to the 

 air. It becomes solid at a temperature between 21° or 23° F. 



M. Serullas finds that the compound which M. Balard formed by let- 

 ting a drop of bromine fall into a flask of olefiant gas, is identical with 

 the hydrocarburet of bromine just mentioned. 



14. Hydrobromic Ether. — This compound is made in a manner similar 

 to that by which M. Serullas prepared the hydriodic ether. (^An. de Ch. et 

 de Ph. t. XXV. p. 323.) Into a tubulated retort are introduced 40 parts of 

 alcohol of specific gravity 0.837, and one part of phosphorus ; and then 

 seven or eight parts of bromine are added by successive small portions. 

 Whenever the bromine comes in contact with the phosphorus, there ensues 

 a rapid combination with increase of temperature, and subsequent forma- 



