TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 591 



twigs, SO as to be exposed freely to the air in their interstices ; 

 and what goes in at the top as cold-wort, conies out at the 

 bottom, in the course of an hour, hot vinegar. 



Abstract of the Discoveries made by Dr. Reichenbach, in his 

 examination of the products of destructive Distillation. By 

 William Gregory, M.D., F.R.S.E. 



Dr. Reichenbach, in the course of a series of experiments, 

 of great extent and accuracy, on this subject, has shown that 

 the products of destructive distillation are of a very complex 

 nature, and contain, besides a variety of principles previously 

 known, not less than six new principles, all of which are sus- 

 ceptible of some practical application. These new principles 



are 



1. Paraffin. — This is a solid body, white, without taste or 

 smell, soluble in hot alcohol and aether, which deposit the 

 greater part on cooling, insoluble in water, fusible atlOO°Fahr., 

 boihng at a very high temperature, and distilling unchano-ed! 

 It is not acted on by the strongest reagents, and from its per- 

 manence is susceptible of many useful apphcations. It burns 

 with a bright light and without smoke. Sp. gr. 0-870. 



2. Eupion, — This is a very mobile and volatile liquid, boiling 

 at about 112° Fahr., and distilling unchanged. It is equally 

 permanent with paraffin, and, like it, burns brilliantly without 

 smoke. It has an extremely fragrant smell. It is more ex- 

 pansible by heat than any known liquid, and is the lightest 

 known hquid under ordinary pressure, having a sp. gr. of 

 0-655. Its expansibihty recommends it for thermometers, and 

 It seems well adapted for burning, from the brightness and 

 purity of the light it produces. 



3. Kreosote.— This is a Hquid, sp. gr. 1-037, transparent and 

 colourless, said to combine a low refractive with a high disper- 

 sive power. It boils at 400° Fahr., and distils unchanged. It 

 possesses a strong smell of smoke, and is the antiseptic ino-re- 

 dient of tar, smoke, and pyrohgneous acid. It is sparingly 

 soluble in water, abundantly in alcohol and acetic acid. It 

 coagulates strongly the albumen of animal substances. It has 

 been applied with success to the cure of toothache, acts as a 

 powerful styptic, and is the active ingredient of tar, tar-water, 

 aqua binelli, and Dippel's oil. It may be usefully employed 

 in the art of curing hams and other smoked meats. 



4. PittakalL— This is a solid body, resembhng indigo, of a 

 splendid blue colour, passing on the polished surface into the 



