434 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
Hydrocarbosulphate of potash crystallizes in needles. ' it 
has astrong peculiar smell, is very soluble in water, soluble 
also in alcohol, but scarcely in ether. Sulphuric or muriatic 
acid, added to a concentrated aqueous solution, precipitates a 
yellowish oil-like liquid, of a peculiar strong smell. The salt 
heated to 140° is not changed, but at a high temperature, it 
melts, effervesces, and is resolved into carbonic acid, another 
gas, and an oil-like fluid, and a mixed mass is left behind, con- 
sisting of a compound of potassium and sulphuret of carbon. 
In the candle the salt inflames and burns with sparks. 
‘Hydrocarbosulphate of soda crystallizes with difficulty; it 
deliquesces in moist air, and is not separated from alcohol by 
ether. With acids and metallic solutions its phenomena re- 
semble those presented by the salt of potash. 
Hydrocarbosulphate of lime may be formed by mixing a so- 
lution of muriate of lime in alcohol, with the salt of potash also 
in alcohol. Muriate of potash is precipitated, very little indeed 
remaining in solution. 
When hydrocarbosulphate of potash in solution is added to 
solutions of certain metals, precipitates are formed, which 
Dr. Zeise considers as compounds of the metal with a sul- 
phuret of carbon, no oxygen or hydrogen being present, with 
the exception, perhaps, of the compound of zinc. Carbosul- 
phuret of copper, made from the nitrate or sulphate, is yellow. 
Carbosulphuret of lead, from the nitrate, is white, foliated, and 
shining. Carbosulphuret of mercury, from corrosive sublimate, 
or prussiate of mercury, is white and granular. The compounds 
of lead and mercury are soluble in alcohol. Strong acids act 
very slowly on these bodies. At a heat below 212° they are 
not injured, at a higher temperature a mist appears condensing 
into a yellow oily liquid, smelling of onions, then the substance 
melts ; a gas is given out in great quantity, which appears to 
be anew compound of sulphur and carbon. The substance 
passes through various shades of colour, and at last exhibits 
the phenomena of combustion, becoming quite black. 
The substance left ultimately is a metallic sulphuret and 
carbon; but if the heat be abated when the matter is only 
brown, another kind of carbosulphuret is produced. 
Hydrocarbosulphuric acid may be procured by pouring a 
mixture of 4 parts sulphuric acid, and 3 of water, on the salt 
of potash, and in a few seconds. adding abundance of water. 
The acid collects at the bottom of the water as a transparent, 
slightly-coloured oil; it must be quickly washed with water, 
until free from sulphuric acid. 
This acid reddens litmus paper powerfully. Its odour differs 
from that of sulphuret of carbon. Its taste is acid and astrin- 
gent. It burns readily, giving out sulphurous fumes. It is decom- 
