418 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



gen J but its constitution is very different from that of the oxyge- 

 nated essential oils hitherto known. It consists of a new peculiar 

 acid, analogous to the fatty acids, combined with aether ; and it of 

 course is one of the class of compound aethers. It is the first in- 

 stance of the occurrence of an aether which is insoluble in water, 

 and produced during the vinous fermentation without the interven- 

 tion of the chemist. The strong resemblance which this substance 

 bears to the essential oils, ought to cause them to be studied under 

 the same point of view, and it is probable that light may be thrown 

 thereby upon this class of organic compounds. To the new acid 

 MM. Liebig and Pelouse have given the name of cenanthic acid, 

 and to the essential oil cenanthic (Ether. 



(ENANTHIC ^THER. 



The rough aether contains variable quantities of free acid : as it 

 is more volatile than the acid, it may be obtained free from it by 

 distillation by separating the first fourth of the product. In order 

 to obtain it perfectly pure, it is preferable to shake it frequently 

 with a hot solution of carbonate of soda, which dissolves the free 

 acid without altering the aether. The mixture is milky, and 

 does not become clear by long standing ; but if it be boiled for 

 a short time, then the aether floats on the surface of the fluid, 

 and may be easily separated. By agitating it with fragments 

 of chloride of calcium, the small quantity of water or alcohol which 

 it contains is easily separated. The aether thus purified is very fluid, 

 resembling the essential oil of mustard; it is colourless, has an ex- 

 tremely strong smell of wine, and which is almost intoxicating 

 when breathed. Its taste is strong and disagreeable. It dis- 

 solves readily in aether and in alcohol, even when the latter is weak; 

 it is not sensibly soluble in water. Its density is 0*862, that of its 

 vapour is 10508 ; it is not very volatile ; when distilled with water 

 only, about 100 grains come over with a pound of water. It boils 

 at about 442° Fahr. 



It appears to be composed of 



Six equivalents of Hydrogen . . 6 



Six equivalents of Carbon 36 



One equivalent of Oxygen 8 



— 50 



CEnanthic aether is instantaneously decomposed by the caustic 

 alkalis ; but the carbonates produce no sensible effect upon it ; it is 

 not altered by ammonia, either in solution or in its gaseous state, or 

 even when gently heated. 



When it is boiled with caustic potash it disappears in a ^e:7i se- 

 conds, and if the operation be conducted in a retort, a considerable 

 quantity of alcohol is obtained, and there remains a very soluble 

 compound of cenanthic acid and potash. If this compound be de- 

 composed by dilute sulphuric acid, the cenanthic acid immediately 

 separates and forms an oily inodorous stratum on the surface of the 

 liquid. 



