212 Analysis of Oil of Wine, &c. 
of the earth, though in the whole compound atmosphere the 
two gases are of equal weights. ' 
All this would take place. according to the author’s argu- 
ments were the mixed atmospheres quiescent; but if the atmo- 
spheres are like the earth’s atmosphere, in a constant state of 
commotion, greater or less, still there will be a constant ten- 
dency towards that state of equilibrium which is above de- 
scribed. Inthe conclusion Mr. D. states, that he has a series 
of observations which support the opinion that the atmosphere 
at different seasons and elevations exhibits different propor- 
tions of its elements in association, which he intends to brin 
forward on some future occasion.— Annals of Philosophy. 
ANALYSIS OF OIL OF WINE, &c. 
On the 9th of March, a paper on this subject and on the 
sulphovinates, by Mr. H. Hennell, of Apothecaries’ Hall, was 
read before the Royal Society :--the following is a summary of 
its contents. 
Mr. Hennell at first supposing that the elements of oil of 
wine were the same as those of sulphuric ether, endeavoured 
accordingly to determine their relative proportions in the for- 
mer substance, by passing its vapour over ignited peroxide of 
copper. In this process, portions of sulphurous acid gas and 
sulphate of copper were invariably obtained ; in attempting to 
ascertain the origin of which, the oil of wine was heated in 
solution of muriate of barytes, but no precipitate or even 
cloudiness was produced in it, though litmus paper at the same 
time indicated the presence of free acid. On concentrating 
the solution, however, a precipitate of sulphate of barytes was 
gradually formed; showing that either the sulphuric acid 
was in some state of combination interfering with its action 
upon tests, or that its elements existed in the oil of wine in some 
unusual state of arrangement. From 200 grains of pure oil 
of wine, treated with solution of potash, evaporated-to dryness 
and ignited, and then treated successively with nitric acid and 
muriate of barytes, were obtained 218-3 of sulphate of barytes, 
indicating 74 of sulphuric acid. 
On resuming the analysis with peroxide of copper, with due 
care, and the additional precautions suggested by the nature of 
_the substance as just pointed out, it appeared that 100 grains 
of oil of wine contain 53°70 of carbon, and 8°30 of hydrogen: 
the deficiency = 38 parts being referable to the sulphuric acid, 
as shown by the experiments above mentioned. ‘These pro- 
portions indicate the hydrocarbon combined with the sulphuric 
acid to contain an atom of each constituent; but they do not 
show the quantity of hydrocarbon combined with the sulphuric 
acid, 
