238 Scientific Intelligence ^ 6fc. 



Dumas and Peligot term the oil, hydrate of cinnamyle from its 



analogy to the oil of bitter almonds. The composition is. 



Carbon . . . .81-6 



Hydrogen . . . 6*2 



Oxygen . . . 12-2 



100-0 

 Cinnamic acid crystallizes in large yellow prisms which dissolve 

 in boiling water, but are almost insoluble in cold water. 

 It is formed of. 



Carbon . . . . 78-0 

 Hydrogen . . . 4*9 

 Oxygen . . . 17*1 



100-0 

 The atomic weight was determined by precipitating a solution of 

 the neutral cinnamate of ammonia by nitrate of silver. The results 

 were, Cinnamic acid . . 54-8 



Oxide of silver . . 45 2 



100-0 

 By this analysis we may infer that the atomic weight of the acid 

 is 17-75 (17-65 according to Dumas). The authors consider that the 

 oil of canella loses 2 atoms of hydrogen and gains an atom of oxygen 

 in order to form an hydrous cinnamic acid. Pure cinnamic acid is 

 colourless. It melts at 120°, (248^ ¥.,) boils at 293°, (559° F.,) 

 the barometer being at 29*75 inches. It distils over without leaving 

 any residue. Its vapour excites coughing. Alcohol dissolves it, 

 from which solution it is precipitated by water. Its salts are very 

 similar to the benzoates. 



Chlorocinnose. The authors give this name to the compound 

 formed by the action of chlorine upon the oil. When dissolved in 

 boiling alcohol, in cooling fine white needles are formed, upon which 

 sulphuric acid and ammonia have no elFect. It consists of. 



Carbon .... 40-5 



Hydrogen . . .1-5 



Chlorine . . . 52-1 



Oxygen . . . 5-9 



100^ 

 The exact nature of this compound they have been unable to 

 make out. 



Nitrate of oil of canella consists of oblique prisms with a rhom- 

 boidal base, which are decomposed by water and which acquires the 

 smell of bitter almonds. 



Hydrochlorate of oil of canella is formed by exposing the oil to 

 muriatic gas. It consists of. 



Oil . . . • 78-8 



Muriatic acid . . 21-2 



1000 

 Ammoniuret of oil of Canella appears in the form of a dry 



