162 DR. LOWIG ON THE ESSENTIAI, OIL 



The aqueous solution of spiroilate of £oda gives with acetate of Head 

 a yellow, and with salts of copper a green, precipitate. 



Sesquichromate of iron is not precipitated by spiroilate of soda, but 

 is coloured deep cherry-red by it, as well as by the spiroilide. 



If the salts of spiroilic acid are heated in contact with the air, they 

 detonate briskly, leaving behind either a pure or carbonated base, and 

 a soft powderj' carbon. 



If spiroilic acid be mixed with an easily inflammable substance, as sul- 

 phur, the mixture detonates when heated. 



Fuming nitric acid acts very violently upon spiroilic acid ; fumes of ni- 

 trous acid are immediately evolved, whilst ayellow semifluid mass is formed, 

 which solidifies only after several days. This yellow substance ha^ an in- 

 tensely bitter taste, and colours the saliva, skin, and nails, &c. deep yellow ; 

 it is fusible and may be distilled, and possesses in a striking degree the 

 smell of fresh butter ; no oxalic acid is formed. Submitted to distil- 

 lation with water, it distils over undecomposed with the water, partially 

 dissolved and partly as a yellow powder. 



If the residue of the aqueous solution after the yellow body has gone 

 over be slowly evaporated, transparent colourless prismatic crystals are 

 obtained, the nature of which requires further investigation. 



An analysis of this substance, which appeared to possess acid proper- 

 ties, was several times commenced; but even by the most careful appli- 

 cation of heat, the oxide of copper was always projected into the tube 

 containing the chloride of calcium, whilst part of the substance was often 

 conducted undecomposed into the potash apparatus. Nevertheless the 

 determination of the carbonic acid has several times been accomplished: 

 from the data thus obtained, this yellow substance must be very rich in 

 oxygen. 



Chloride of Spiroil. 



Chloride of spiroil may be obtained by decomposing hydrospiroilic 

 acid by means of chlorine. In a suitable apparatus and without the ap- 

 plication of heat, dry chlorine gas was passed over the anhydrous acid; 

 evolution of muriatic acid immediately commenced : if the chlorine be 

 evolved but slowly, only a slight elevation of temperature takes place. 

 Chlorine is to be passed through this solution so long as fumes of mu- 

 riatic acid are evolved : the hydrospiroilic acid is entirely converted intd 

 a white crystalline mass. 



If however the oil is become solid, the chlorine apparatus must be 

 moved, and the chloride of spiroil which has been formed must be sub- 

 limed by the lowest possible heat. 



The most beautiful crystalline plates of a dazzling whiteness are ob- 

 tained, which melt at a very low heat, and, as has been before remarked, 

 may easily be sublimed. 



