OF THE MEADOW-SWEET. 161 



From these proportions we obtain the following for 100 parts: 



I. II. 



Carbon 50.92 51-18 



Hydrogen 3-50 3*43 



Oxygen 45-58 45-39 



100-00 100-00 



or reckoned in equivalents, — 



12 eqs. carbon 73-56 51-58 



5 — hydrogen 5-00 3-50 



8 — oxygen 64-00 44-92 



1 eq. spiroilic acid 142*56 iOO-00 



From these experiments we may deduce, that in the moment that the 

 one equivalent of hydrogen of the hydrospiroilic acid is oxidized, four 

 more equivalents of oxygen are taken up by the radical. This likewise 

 explains the formation of so large a portion of nitrous acid, even when 

 a very small quantity only of the oil is employed. 



It appeared probable that during the oxidation a portion of nitric 

 or nitrous acid was absorbed by the radical, and this opinion was sup- 

 ported by the fact, that spiroilic acid stains the skin and nails perma- 

 nently yellow,— a property which is likewise possessed by the spiroilide 

 of potassium and several other metallic spiroilides ; several experiments 

 were undertaken to detect the nitrogen or the acid, but unsuccessfully 

 with regard to either. 



If spiroilic acid be slightly heated with potassium over mercury, a 

 most violent evolution of heat and light suddenly takes place, by which 

 the vessel is always broken with great violence. Even should excess of po- 

 tassium be employed in this experiment, only a portion of the spiroilic 

 acid is decomposed ; a porous carbon is deposited, and a mixture of 

 spiroilide of potassium and carbonate of potash is formed. 



The pure alkalies unite very readily with spiroilic acid, forming yel- 

 low compounds, by evaporating the aqueous solutions of which small 

 yellow crystals may be obtained. 



If spiroilic acid be dissolved in aether, and the solution agitated witli 

 solutions of potash or soda, the aether is immediately abstracted from the 

 acid. The alkaline salts of spiroilic acid are also soluble in alcohol. 



If ammonia be saturated with spiroilic acid, a deep blood-red solution 

 is obtained. If this be evaporated to dryness a yellow residue remains, 

 which if rubbed with caustic alkah immediately develops a strong am- 

 moniacal odour. If spiroilate of ammonia be subjected to a high tem- 

 perature in close vessels it is decomposed, some ammonia is evolved, and 

 an oily body comes over, the exact nature of which has not been deter- 

 mined on account of the minuteness of the quantity. 



Vol. I. — Part 1. M 



