108 Royal Irish Acade7ny. 



When mesitylene is tietUed with nitric acid copious red fumes are 

 given off, and a very heavy thick fluid obtained which gives on analysis 

 the formula C<; H^ O^. This fluid absorbs ammonia, and forms there- 

 with a compound soluble in water, and giving with most metallic so- 

 lutions insoluble precipitates. 



If pure mesitic alcohol be heated with nitric acid, there is a very 

 violent reaction, and an explosive decomposition, if distillation be 

 attempted ; but by diluting with water a heavy fluid is produced, 

 which gives on analysis, unsatisfactory results, owing, in the first 

 place, to its decomposing with an explosion when heated, and secondly 

 to its being always mixed with some of the substance last described : 

 the results obtained indicate however as very probable the formula 

 C6H3NO,. 



To connect the above results, Professor Kane proposes to assume 

 as radical the body Cg H3, to which he gives the name of pteleyU 

 Then 



Cg H4 = Cg H3 + H. Hydruret of pteleyl or mesitylene. 



Cg H3 CI = Cg H3 + CI. Chloride of pteleyl. 

 Cg H3 1 = Cg H3 + I. Iodide of pteleyl. 

 Cg H4 0.2 = Cg H3 O + H O. Hydrated oxide of pteleyl, the alde- 



hyd of the mesitic series. 

 Cg H3 N 0^= Cg H3 O + N O3. Hyponitrate of pteleyl. 



The compound heavy liquid produced by the action of chlorine on 

 mesitic alcohol, was found to differ but little from the description 

 given by Liebig. Its formula, as given by Dr. Kane's analysis, is Cg 

 H3 O2 C/2 ; and by the action of bases it yields a metallic chloride, 

 and a salt of a new acid named by Professor Kane Pteleic Add. 

 This has not yet been analyzed, but theory indicates for its composi- 

 tion the formula Cg H3O4. 



By the action of permanganate of potash on mesitic alcohol, there 

 is generated a neutral salt of potash containing an acid, to which is 

 given the name of the Perpteleic, whose salts generally decompose 

 themselves with facility into carbonates, and a salt of another acid to 

 which the name of the Acetonic Acid has been applied. The consti- 

 tution of these last three acids remains yet to be fixed by other expe- 

 riments, the author confining himself in the present paper to the 

 suggestion of that view of their composition, which, in the absence of 

 positive analyses, seems to him most likely to be true. 



Professor Kane exhibited to the Academy a balance made by a 

 German artist, having some peculiarities of construction and ad- 

 justment. 



April 24.— A paper was read by Professor Kane ** On Dumasine, 

 a new Fluid Substance isomeric with Camphor." 



This fluid is obtained in very small quantity in the distillation of 

 acetate of lime for preparing mesitic alcohol. It boils at 24-8°, is 

 colourless, and of a powerful resinous smell. Its composition by ana- 

 lysis is C,o Hg O. Thus : 



