3 1 { Chemislry. 



M. Gay-Lussac has published in the number of the AnnaleJ 

 dc Ckimic et Physique for May last, the following- interestiiij^ 

 observations "on the alteration which sulphuric etlier undergoes." 

 i kept for nearly two years sulphuric elher in a glass boltie which 

 was half full and whicii was occasionally opened. I had purified 

 this ether, by washing it several times with v^ater, then by 

 leaving; it fifteen days on quick-lime, the whole surface of which 

 it did not cover; and finally, bv distilling it in the water-bath, 

 and collecting only the first portions. Thus prepared, it began 

 to boil at 35-60": its density at 24*8' was 0*7 HJ?, and it had 

 no acti(ni, upon turnsole. Wishing lately to make some ex- 

 periments on the dilatation of this liquid, I endeavoured to as- 

 certain if it had undergone anv alteration ; and I found that its 

 density had increased, that it feebly reJdened turnsole, and ti:at 

 its boiling point, little above So'G"^ at the commencement of the 

 distillation, was removed from it, towards the cud, more than 

 20°. Surprised at these results, I cKamined the residue, whicii 

 was unfortunately very weak, and I recognized tlie following 

 properties: its smell announced the presence of sulplnuic ether 

 and acetic ether: it was strongly acid, and united with water in 

 all proportions : — its taste was excessively hot and acrid. A 

 portion of this residue, to which I added a little potash, was eva- 

 porated to dryness, and the sulphuric acid afterwards sent off 

 from it very poignant vapours of acetic acid. On another portion 

 of the residue I poured concentrated sul()huric acid, and imme- 

 diately there was sejiarated a very limpid colourless oil, a little 

 heavier than water, and which reiuained fluid at the comuu>n 

 temperature, and the taste of which, although very hot, had act 

 the same characters with that of the residue. I had a globule 

 of it of the size of a large ))in's head ; and although I had re- 

 course to the assistance of M. Robiquet, I could not discover if 

 it had any resembiance with the sweet oil of wine. 



On a third portion of the residue of the distillation of the 

 ether I poured a little hydrochloric acid, and added concentrated 

 sulphuric acid: — upon cooling it, which I accelerated by plun- 

 ging the vessel into cold water, the liquid precipitated white 

 f.akes, although its density was far superior to that of the water. 

 Having raised the temperature, the flakes were di.'<solved aud 

 united in a globule which had the appearance of melted wax : 

 upon coitling, the globule became solid aud preserved a little 

 transparency: its texture was fibrous, but it had very little con- 

 sistency. 



This substance, evidently different from the oil which I have 

 mentioned, has very remarkable properties. It has a peculiarly 

 etherated smell ; its taste, which is onlygradually developed, is very 

 hot, but less than that of the residue of the ether : it melts at about 



65° J 



