Dublin Ktrwanian Society, 



389 



KIRWANIAN SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



Nov. 18. A Paper " On the Nature and certain Combi- 

 nations of a newly discovered Vegetable Acid," was read 

 by M. Donovan, Esq. , ., u u ' 



In examining the combinations of this acid, the author s 

 principal object was to point out the characteristics by 

 which they may be distinguished from those of other acids. 

 Distinctions so obvious as not to require particular notice, 

 exist between this and all other acids except the malic. 

 Even the latter, althou2;h having a-resemblance m some in- 

 stances, isdistingaisabfe by several striking properties. Tlie 

 following abstract, notwithstanding that it does not comprise 

 every particular difference, will suflfjciently illustrate the 

 comparative properties of the two acids. 



Malic acid is always brown, The new acid is coloMrless 

 even when prepared accord- at any degree of concentra- 



ing to the process of Vau- 

 quelin. 



Malic acid unites to oxide 

 of lead, and forms a powder 

 which cannot by any known 

 means be made to assume 

 the Crystalline form. 



Malic acid, when present- 

 ed to carbonate of lime, al- 

 ways forms an acidulous salt, 

 which cannot be rendered 

 neutral even by boiling the 

 malate to dryness, on an ex- 

 cess of the carbonate. The 

 acidulous solution in some 

 days deposits crystals. 



The same observations 

 hold good with regard to 

 barytes. 



Malic acid forms with 

 magnesia a salt which deli- 

 quesces, and which does not 

 4S8ume the crystalline form. 



tion. 



The new acid unites to 

 lead, and pasily forms crys- 

 tals of ^ peculiar lustre and 

 beauty, 



The new acid, when merely 

 agitated with carbonate of 

 lime, forms a neutral salt, 

 which almost Imrnediat.ehj 

 precipitates. 



The new acid, when heated 

 on carbonate of barytes, dis- 

 solves Awexcesx of base; the 

 other properties of the com- 

 pound are like those of the 

 preceding. 



The new acid forms witb 

 magnesia a crystallized salt, 

 which requires a8 parts of 

 water at 60% for solution. 



The new acid decomposes malate of lead. 



Bb 3 



OKOLO- 



