Peroxide of' Manganese, and Sulphuric Acid. 2^1 



verting alcohol into acetic acid, by the agency of black platinum 

 powder (platinmohr) *y will be found to contain some formic 

 acid mixed with it. But I throw this out merely as a probable 

 conjecture, as I have never prepared or examined the liquid. 



I intend still to make some experiments, with the view of en- 

 deavouring to determine the relative proportions of the acetate 

 and formic acids, in the several acid liquids which have been 

 under consideration ; and also to examine the lampic acid, as 

 prepared from nitric ether. 



To trace minutely the nature of the process by which these 

 acid products are formed, it would be necessary to know all the 

 accompanying substances of a resinous or oily nature, which are 

 produced at the same time, and the exact composition and order 

 of formation of these several concomitant bodies. We may say, 

 however, generally, that the formation of the acid products ap- 

 pears to depend on a slow process of oxidation exerted on alco- 

 hol or ether, or on the hydrocarbon contained in them. In the 

 case of the lampic acid, this oxidation is an actual, although slow, 

 combustion. In that of the acid from sulphuric acid, oxide of 

 manganese, and alcohol, the action appears to depend on oxygen 

 being presented to the alcohol, or its constituents, in its nascent 

 state. In the action of potash on alcohol, it has been already 

 stated, that oxygen is absorbed ; and it would seem, that the af- 

 finity of potash for the acids produced, performs a principal 

 part in determining this oxidation and new arrangement of 

 elements. 



On the Instincts of' Birds. By John Blackwall, Esq. F.L.S. 



1 HE manners and economy of the inferior orders of animals, 

 form one of the most interesting subjects of investigation which 

 can engage the attention of the philosophic naturalist. An ac- 

 quaintance with this important but greatly neglected branch ^f 

 zoology, conduces to the correction of numerous erroneous opi- 

 nions, and groundless prejudices, and opens an inexhaustible 

 source of valuable information and rational amusement. It 

 • Poggend. Annal. xxiv. 603. 

 VOL. XIV. NOr XXVIII. APRIL 1833. d 



