488 Iniclligefice afid Miscellaneous Articles. 



ceeded in reducing twenty-five ounces* of that metal to a state so 

 liquid, that the containing cavity not being sufficiently capacious, 

 about two ounces overflowed it, leaving a mass of twenty-three 

 ounces. I repeat that I see no difficulty in extending the power of 

 my apparatus to the fusion of much larger masses. 



When nitric acid or sulphuric acid with a nitrate is employed to 

 generate aether, there must be an excess of two atoms of oxygen for 

 each atom of the hyponitrous acid which enters into combination. 

 This excess involves not only the consumption of a large proportion 

 of alcohol, but also gives rise to several acids and to some volatile 

 and acrid liquids. 



It occurred to me that for the production of pure hyponitrous 

 aether a hyponitrite should be used. The result has fully realized my 

 expectations. 



By subjecting hyponitrite potassa or soda to alcohol and diluted 

 sulphuric acid, I have obtained a species of aether which differs from 

 that usually known as nitrous or nitric aether in being sweeter to the 

 taste, more bland to the smell, and more volatile. It boils below 

 65° of F., and produces by its spontaneous evaporation a tempera- 

 ture of — 15° F. On contact with the finger or tongue it hisses as 

 water does with red-hot iron. After being made to boil, if allowed 

 to stand for some time at a temperature below its boiling point, ebul- 

 lition may be renewed in it apparently at a temperature lower than 

 that at which it had ceased. Possibly this apparent ebullition arises 

 from the partial resolution of the liquid into an aeriform sethereal 

 fluid, which escapes, both during the distillation of the liquid aether 

 and after it has ceased, at a temperature below freezing. This aeri- 

 form product has been found partially condensible, by pressure, into 

 a yellow liquid, the vapour of which, when allowed to enter the 

 mouth or nose, produced an impression like that of the liquid aether. 

 I conjecture that it consists of nitric oxide, so united to a portion of 

 the aether as to prevent the wonted reaction of this gas with atmo- 

 spheric oxygen. Hence it does not produce red fumes on being 

 mingled with air. 



Towards the end of the ordinary process for the evolution of the 

 sweet spirits of nitre, a volatile acrid liquid is created which affects 

 the eyes and nose like mustard, or horse radish. 



"Wlien the new aether as it first condenses is distilled from quick- 

 lime, this earth becomes imbued with an essential oil which it yields 

 to hydric aether. This oil may be afterwards isolated by the sponta- 

 neous evaporation of its solvent. It has a mixed odour, partlv agree- 

 able, partly unpleasant. From the affinity of its odour and that of 

 common nitrous aether, I infer that it is one of the impurities which 

 exist in that compound. 



The new aether is obtained in the highest degree of purity, thougli 

 in less quantity, by introducing the materials into a strong well- 

 ground stoppered bottle, refrigerated by snow and salt. After some 

 time the aether will form a supernatant stratum, which may be sepa- 



• Troy weight. The actual quantity fused was 12,250 grs.j the lump re- 

 maining weighed 1 0,i>37 grs. 



