38 Synthetical Chemistry. [Jan., 
of hydrogen, acetylene is produced. (‘The hydrogen may be obtained 
from water, and the carbon from marble, both morganic sources.) 
With acetylene (a gas) we obtain acetylide of copper by passing the 
former through the subchloride of copper, and by bringing acetylide 
of copper into contact with nascent hydrogen we form Olefiant gas. 
This may be termed the second step in the synthesis, olefiant gas 
being itself an organic product. The third and final synthesis is 
that performed by Faraday and Hennell, and it consists, first, in the 
agitation of olefiant gas with sulphuric acid, the result of which is 
sulpho-vinie acid. This is then mixed with water and distilled, 
when alcohol comes over, mixed, however, with water; from which 
it is freed by placing it in contact with quick-lime for a day or two 
and then distilling it again at the temperature of boiling water. 
Pure vinie alcohol now passes over, all the water remaining behind 
in combination with the lime. Having thus obtained vinic alcohol 
from inorganic materials only, we can employ it to form, by synthesis, 
a vast number of other organic products. ‘hus by Mendius’s re- 
action (so called after its discoverer), which consists in the addition 
of hydrogen to the compound of cyanogen with the basis of vinic 
alcohol, we obtain propylic, butylic, and amylic aleohol. If we 
select one of these, propylic alcohol, and oxydize it, we conyert it 
into propionic acid; and when propionic acid is subjected to the 
consecutive action of chlorine and hydrate of potash, the product is 
the well-known substance Lactic acid, the acid of sour milk. Again, 
vinic alcohol submitted to oxydation produces Acetic acid, from 
which we may construct, by synthesis, the essences of certain 
fruits, often vended by druggists to persons who have not the 
remotest suspicion of the true character of their purchases. Having 
described the syntheses of vinic alcohol and acetic acid, it is only 
necessary to state that when these two are distilled together, they 
produce Acetic ether, the bouquet of certain wines; and again, if 
vinic alcohol be thrice treated according to Mendius’s process we 
obtain amylic alcohol, and that substance distilled with acetic acid 
gives the “ Essence of pears.” And further, if acetic ether (the 
bouquet of wines) be treated, first with sodium, and then with iodide 
of ethyl, it gives butyric ether, the “ Hssence of pine-apples.” How 
numerous are the dissimilar substances produced from almost the 
same simple elements; and how completely does the study of 
synthetical chemistry confirm all other evidences of the unity of 
the operations of nature! 
Passing over the synthesis of Glycerine from propylic alcohol 
(one of the products of vinic alcohol already referred to), we may 
mention that the combination of glycerine with the so-called “ fatty 
acids,” acetic, propionic, butyric, &c., all of which are synthetized 
by the oxydation of propylic and other alcohols as already stated, 
that the combination, we say, of glycerine with the fatty acids yields 
