1081 
dish. The structure of these two substances, however, is so compli- 
cated, that we must allow for the possibility, that their behaviour 
may be explained in quite a different way. 
Until now we have only treated colloids; we thought it 
quite worth while to examine, if the phenomenon could also be 
found in crystalline bodies. A paper of Fischer and BopertaG') drew 
our attention to myricyl alcohol*), together with chloroform and 
amylaleohol. We are inclined to conclude, that this substance really 
shows the phenomenon, but the differences, which we found, are much 
smaller, and absolute certainty about the fact has not yet been 
obtained. The principal error in these experiments lies in the liquid 
adhering to the surface, and its influence will grow, according to 
the decrease of the total difference. Besides this substance we in- 
vestigated stearic acid with acetic acid and anthracene with ethyl- 
alcohol; the differences in these systems are still smaller and the 
uncertainty therefore is still greater. *) 
All the above mentioned substances show the phenomenon more 
or less; a few others do not do so or at least they show differences, 
not exceeding the experimental errors; viz. silica jelly, (as could be 
seen from VAN BEMMELEN’S investigations), coagulated albumen: (serum- 
albumen, Merck) and amongst the crystalline bodies stilbite ; the 
latter absorbs only 3°/, water in toto. We did not investigate the 
hydroxydes of the heavy metals, because we did not think it 
possible, to free them from the surface water. Therefore we do not 
wish to oppose ourselves to the researches made by Foorr *) and 
RAKOWsKI®). A word must be said, however, concerning a remark- 
able observation of Foorr, to which Mr. Rakowski drew our attention. 
Foote found, that a crucible, containing pure water, placed in a 
well closed weighing bottle, on the bottom of which was some 
water, and which was pending in a thermostat, lost some weight. 
Now theoretically the water on the highest level must evaporate 
wholly, but, if we do not consider this fact, we notice, at all events, 
1) Jahresber. d. Schles. Ges. f. Vaterl. Kultur 86, 36. 
2) This substance was prepared for us of carnauba wax in Prof. Honptus Bor- 
DINGH'S laboratory; a crystallographic examination by Dr. B. G. Escuer proved that 
it was wholly crystalline. We wish to express our hearty thanks to these gentlemen 
for their kindness. 
3) Whether the phenomenon also appears in two normal, non miscible liquids, 
is a question, directly connected with the above. Experiments about this problem 
have been commenced. 
4) J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 30, 1388. 
5) Zeitschr. für Chem und Industrie der Kolloïde. 11, 22. 
