On the Ether suggested l>/ Sir Isaac Xtwton, 00 c. 153 



why this accurate chemist obtained so few traces of prus- 

 siate of iron, no doubt was, that the oil of bitter almonds 

 contains less of the radical of the prussic acid than that of 

 the leaves of the laurel cherry*. 



I am also of opinion that the prussic acid does not exist 

 as such in a free state, and with alkalies and earths can 

 form no prussic acid salts without a portion of the oxide 

 of iron. To confirm this opinion I made the following 

 experiments : 



IV. Six drops of the oil of the laurel cherry being shaken, 

 with half an ounce of lime water, ten grains of acetite of 

 copper dissolved in a dram of distilled water were mixed 

 with it, which produced a green precipitate. This preci- 

 pitate was again perfectly dissolved by the addition of the 

 acetous acid. 



V. I repeated the same experiment, with this variation, 

 that instead of lime water I employed ammonia, by which 

 I obtained the same result. 



These experiments, in my opinion, confirm in a com- 

 plete manner that the prussic acid cannot exist as suck 

 without a portion of the oxide of iron ; otherwise a reddish, 

 brown precipitate, according to analogy, must in these ex- 

 periments have been produced. Want of oil prevented me 

 from carrying my experiments further. 



XXV. On the Ether suggested by Sir Isaac Newton, 

 compared with the supposed neuly discovered Principle of 

 Galvanism. By Gover?ior PowNALLf. 



ZXLTHOUGH at an advanced period of life the mind does 

 not possess strength sufficient for the pursuit of any new 

 research, or for the study of any new branch of science, of 

 w hich I am conscious as I ought to be j yet feeling myself 

 capable to follow the researches of others, and to judge of 

 their theories when formed, I have in all humble diffidence 

 followed the experiments, and attended to the theories, 

 which modern philosophers have made and formed respect- 

 ing the phenomena of a supposed newly discovered prin- 



'•' In two experimcins with ammonia and the oil of the leaves of the 

 laurel cherry, mide by a process different from that of M. Buchol?., f 

 was not ahlc to obtain prussiate of iron; i however have no doubt that 

 this might be effected. 



t Coinmunicatcd by die author. 



ciple. 



