obtained in the Decomposition of Oil. 185 



several days in sun- light; it dissolves in the liquid in small 

 quantity, forming a crimson solution. 



Potassium heated in the liquid did not lose its brilliancy, or 

 exert any action upon it, at a temperature of 186°. 



Solution of alkalis, or their carbonates, had no action 

 upon it. 



Nitric acid acted slowly upon the substance and became 

 red, the fluid remaining colourless. When cooled to 32°, the 

 substance became solid and of a fine red colour, which dis- 

 appeared upon fusion. The odour of the substance with the 

 acid was exceedingly like that of almonds, and it is probable 

 that hydi-ocyanic acid was formed. When washed with wa- 

 ter, it appeared to have undergone little or no change. 



Sulphuric acid added to it over mercury exerted a moderate 

 action upon it, little or no heat was evolved, no blackening 

 took place, no sulphurous acid was formed ; but the acid be- 

 came of a light yellow colour, and a portion of a clear colour- 

 less fluid floated, which appeared to be a product of the action. 

 When separated, it was found to be bright and clear, not af- 

 fected by water or more sulphuric acid, solidifying at about 

 34°, and being then white, crystaUine, and dendritical. The 

 substance was lighter than water, soluble in alcohol, the so- 

 lution being precipitated by a small quantity of water, but 

 becoming clear by great excess*. 



With regard to the composition of this substance, my ex- 

 periments tend to prove it a binary compound of carbon and 

 hydrogen, two proportionals of the former element being united 

 to one of the latter. The absence of oxygen is proved by the 

 inaction of potassium, and the results obtained when passed 

 through a red-hot tube. 



* The action of sulphuric acid on this and the other compounds to be 

 described is very remarkable. It is frequent!}' accompanied with heat ; 

 and large quantities of those bodies which have elasticity enough to exist 

 as vapours when alone at common pressures, are absorbed. No sulphurous 

 acid is produced ; nor when the acid is diluted does any separation of the 

 gas, vapour, or substance take place, except of a small portion of a peculiar 

 product rebulting from the action of the acid on the substances, and dis- 

 solved by it. The acid combines directly with carbon and hydrogen ; and 

 I find when united with bases forms a peculiar class of salts, somewhat re- 

 sembling the sulphovinates, but still different from them. 1 find also that 

 sulphuric acid will condense and combine with olefiant gas, no carbon 

 being separated, or sulphurous or carbonic acid being formed ; and this 

 absorption has in the course of 18 days amounted tcr 84*7 volumes of ole- 

 fiant gas to 1 volume of sulphuric acid. 'J'he acid produced combines with 

 bases, &c., forming [)eculiar salts, which I have not yet had time, but which 

 it is my intention, to examine, as well as the products formed by the ac- 

 tion of sulphuric acid on naphtha, essential oils, &c., and even upon starch 

 and lignine, in the production of sugar, gum, &c., where no carbonization 

 takes place, but where similar results seem to occur. 



Vol. 66. No. 329. 6^/. 1825. A a The 



