Manchester Memoirs, Vol. Iviii. (191 3), No. %. 5 



The compound seems to be an organic acid having 

 the composition CioHjoO.,. It forms a lead salt which is 

 decomposed by dilute nitric acid, yielding the free acid 

 with its original m.p. Methyl atropic acid described by 

 Oglialoro {Gasz. chim. Ital. 15, 514) has the same em- 

 pirical formula and the same m.p. This acid, like ours, 

 is sparingly soluble in cold water. 



By extracting the soot tar with water, a solution was 

 obtained which gave the reactions for guajacol. This 

 may not have emanated from the coal but from the wood 

 used in lighting the fires. 



