5S Experiments and Remarks on a S/d'sfance 



quite uncommon in the analysis of which I am at present 



engaged. 



To prevent all explosion, I constantly mix the nitrate of 

 anmionia with very pure sand. To obtain the gaseous oxide 

 of azote very pure, the distillation is performed in a sand 

 bath, and the fire is man.iged with great care. When the 

 whole succeeds well, the gas is so pvire that one may respire 

 it immediatelv. It has an agreeable taste, almost saccharo-r 

 vinous. If it is mixed with the white vapours produced by an 

 excess of heat, it nuist be left a sufficient time to separate itself^ 

 After two or three hours it may be respired without danger. 

 The eficcts which Davy has observed, and which I'ictet ha^. 

 described in so interesting a manner in his second letter 

 (Bibl. Britannique, tome xvii. p. 406.), have been perfectly, 

 confirmed in niy experiments. Many persons who have rcr- 

 spired this gas have been intoxicated very quickly, and put. 

 into a state of ecstasy very extraordinary and very agreeable. 

 Others have resisted its effects a little more ; and one indi^ 

 vidual was not at all affected by it. This state of intoxication 

 has always passed without leaving a sensible relaxation, l 

 am still continuing these experiments. It is not improbable 

 that this gas may become a very important remedy for me- 

 lancholic persons. I will not fail to communicate the whole 

 beries of experiments to the National Institute. 



XII. JddUional Kxpcrhnen's and Remarks on an artificial 

 Sulslance which possesses the privcipal characteristic Pro- 

 perties of' Tannin. By Charlks Hatchktt, Esq. 



■ 'f.r.s. 



[Cpntiiuifd frori our last volunie, p. ;52(i ] 



§ IV. 

 X MADE several unsuccessful attempts to form thp artificial 

 substance bv means of pwmuriatic acid ; and it therefore 

 appeared certain, that although a variety of the tanning 

 matter could be produced by the action of sulphuric acid 

 on resinous substances, yet the most effective agent was 



nitric 



