and the Products of its Decomposition. 83 



Cholacrol. — This is a product of the decomposition of ni- 

 tracrol by alkalies, and remains in the form of a heavy oil when 

 the nitracrol is mixed with caustic potash. It is a clear, 

 somewhat yellow, heavy fluid, with a smell, when concentrated, 

 scarcely less intense than that of nitracrol ; but when diluted, 

 possessing an odour like cinnamon. 



Its formula was found by Redtenbacher to be — 



C 8 H 5 N 2 O ia . 



Too small quantities of these substances were obtained by 

 me to permit of my making analyses ; but their properties are 

 so marked, and their smell so characteristic, that no doubt 

 remains in my mind as to their nature. 



(Enanthylic Acid. — The oily acids which separate on dilu- 

 tion of the nitric acid used for oxidation with water, are a 

 mixture of cenanthylic and caproic acids. They are purified 

 by distillation with water, and neutralized with baryta. On 

 neutralization the liquid becomes yellow, owing to the presence 

 of the nitrocholate of the base used for saturation. The baryta 

 salts are purified by repeated crystallizations in water, and 

 then dissolved in that fluid, and evaporated until a slight film 

 appears on the surface; they are then allowed to crystallize 

 spontaneously. The oenanthylate of baryta appears in the 

 form of lancet-shaped plates, sometimes thick and hard, and 

 at others in groups of silky vegetations. As long as crystals 

 of this character continue to be deposited, the liquid is allowed 

 to evaporate ; and as soon as small clusters appear, is decanted. 



The oenanthylate of baryta is purified by several crystalli- 

 zations; and thus obtained, the crystals were analysed, and 

 found to have the composition assigned to this salt by me in 

 a former memoir, and since authenticated by the analyses of 

 Redtenbacher, Bussy and Williamson. 



I. 02950 salt gave 0*14-5 carbonate of baryta. 



II. 0*2255 salt gave 0*112 carbonate of baryta. 



III. 0*4430 salt gave, when burned with chromate of lead, 

 0*6910 carbonic acid and 0*2680 water. 



Therefore — 



It is therefore pure oenanthylate of baryta*. 



* (Enanthylate of Silver. — In a former publication on cenanthylic acid, 

 it was stated that oenanthylate of silver, subjected to distillation, gave as 

 products an oil and a crystalline substance. This statement must have been 



G2 



