88 STATE IIORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



Qualitative tests for otlier volatile inorgauic bodies, as aininonium salts, 

 iodine, and niercur\', gave negative results. 



The general results of the analysis are tabulated as follows : 



Moisture (including any volatile oil) - --- .'^*G per cent. 



Sulphur.- r - - 03.67 '•' '' 



Fixedcarbon 4.G3 '•' •' 



Loss, and carbonaceous matter expelled at a red heat.. 1.35 " " 



Ash .09 - - 



Total - --- 100.00 



(( a 



In an attempt to separate the carbon and sulphur by dissolving the latter in 

 carbonic sulphide, only GO. 80 per cent of the substance was removed, while at 

 least 80.0 per cent of the residue was found to be sulphur. It is not likely 

 that so large an amount of the "insoluble modification" of sulphur is present, 

 but that it is mechanically protected by the carbon. This view is also sup- 

 ported by the microscopical examination. 



Under a magnifying power of fifty diameters, and with reflected light, the 

 powder is clearly seen to have the form of botryoidal clusters, of an iron-gray 

 color. The spheroids are of nearly uniform size, closely resembling flowers of 

 sulphur, except in color. A few patches that have escaped the general blackening 

 are of a beautiful yellow ; and here the resemblance is complete. Any one who 

 will examine the "ozone" powder and flowers of sulphur side ])y side under 

 a suitable low-power microscope, will find the appearance very characteristic. 

 When tlie powder is crushed it becomes much lighter, as the spherules are 

 broken and the pale color within is revealed. The carbon, then, is not simply 

 mingled with the sulphur, but is made to adhere to its surface. With a mag- 

 nifying power of 220 diameters, in bright sunlight, minute black particles are 

 seen upon the yellow background. Lampblack is very finely divided carbon, 

 and this is probably the most available form of carbon with which to disguise 

 the sulphur. It thus appears that the "ozone," as sold, consists essentially of 

 about nineteen parts of flowers of sulphur mixed with one part of lampblack, 

 and scented with ground cinnamon or something closely resembling it. 



A sample of distilled water which had been subjected to the Prentiss process 

 was found to be perfectly clear and colorless, with a very distinct smell of 

 sulphurous acid. It had a mildly acid taste, with distinct acid and bleaching 

 reaction on litmus; it reduced i)otassium permanganate and potassium bichro- 

 mate, destroyed the blue color of iodide of starch, liberated iodine from potas- 

 sium iodate, gave a blue precipitate when added to a mixture of potassium 

 ferricyanide and ferric chloride, and yielded sulphuretted hydrogen by the 

 action of zinc and dilute acid. -These reactions confirm the presence of sul- 

 phurous acid, an active reducing agent, and most conclusively exclude the 

 presence of ozone. A volumetric estimation with potassium permanganate 

 showed the presence of about one-half volume of sulphurous anhydride to one 

 volume of the solution. 



Having thus shown that sulphurous anhydride is the chief constituent of the 

 antiseptic gas used in the process described, we may consider three practical 

 questions bearing upon its value: 



1st. Are its claims as an antiseptic to be trusted? 



2d. Are the foods preserved in a normal condition, with their proper odor 

 and flavor? 



