On the Re-action of Sulpkiret of Carbon, 8fC. 155 



in alcoliol, the solution slightly reddens litmus paper, and be- 

 comes turbid by water. Mitro-muriatic acid slowly decomposes 

 it, and the solutions are not precipitated by alkalis. It does not 

 combine directly with either ammonia or potash. When boiled 

 ■witb potash, the yellow solution formed smells strongly of sulphu- 

 retted hydrogen ; precipitates salt of lead, pardy black, partly 

 red ; and when completely precipitated by nitrate of lead, still 

 yields an intense red colour with salts of iron. Cold solution of 

 potash acts in a manner somewhat similar. When the white 

 crystalline matter is submitted to an increasing heat it gives 

 sulphuretted hydrogen, the reddening salt, and the yellow sub- 

 stance spoken of (19.) 



The colourless liquor in which the crystalline matter was formed, 

 when exposed to air, gradually reddens. The salts of protoxide of 

 iron, do not produce the crystalline matter, except after long con- 

 tact with the air. 



From all this, says M. Zeise, it appears probable that this sub- 

 stance is formed in the following manner : Two atoms of the hydro- 

 sulphuretted hydrosulphocyanic acid, deprived by the peroxide 

 of iron of a portion of hydrogen (probably two atoms,) are divided 

 into an atom of common hydrosulphocyanic acid and an atom of 

 crystallized hydro-sulphuretted cyanogen ; v.-hilst the protoxide of 

 iron thus formed and combined with the hydrosulphocyanic acid 

 remains in solution : from which it readily appears that the crystal- 

 line substance should contain less hydrogen and more sulphur than 

 the hydio-sulphuretted hydrosulphocyanic acid. It is probably a 

 compound of 1 nitrogen, 2 carbon, 4 sulphur, 4 hydrogen. 



M. Zeise then remarks on the sulphuretted hydrosulphocyanic 

 acid of M. Woehler, which appears to contain 4 atoms of sulphur 

 to 2 of hydrogen. This acid is formed, according to M. Woehler, 

 by exposing the sulphuretted cyanate of mercury to the action of 

 either sulphuretted hydrogen or muriatic acid gas ; or by treating 

 the common hydrosulphocyanate of potash by weak nitric acid ; 

 or by exposing the same salt to the action of the voltaic pile. In 

 all these cases an amorphous orange-yellow body is produced, 

 which is not sulphur, but a particular compound of sulphur, car- 

 bon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. 



This body is very dilFcrent from the white crystalline matter just 

 described. When in contact with solution of potash it deepens in 

 colour, and when again freed from the potash it becomes, on the 

 addition of water, of a ruby colour, giving a reddish-yellow solu- 

 tion, which precipitates salts of had of a fine yellow. In all these 

 properties it is very different to the white crystalline matter de- 

 scribed.— i4«?i. de Chim. xxvi. 66, 113. 



Such are the facts contained in the first part of M. Zeise's im- 

 portant memoir. They are followed by some very ingenious lea- 



