Observations on Naphthaline. It 
Whien it appeared that the heat no longer separated any thing 
from the black matter in the retort, which still however retained 
a degree of fluidity, the apparatus was suffered to cool; during 
which time the residuum became fixed, and to the eye resembled 
pitch, 
The several products of the distillation above described being 
carefully separated. from each other, the more remarkable of them 
were submitted to examination ; but as leisure was wanting for 
a full investigation of their characters, the Society is requested 
to accept, with some indulgence, the following description of 
such of their properties as were ascertained. 
Properties of the aqueous Product. 
Taste, saline and alkaline; with an ammoniacal and slightly 
aromatic odour. 
Sp. gr. 1023. 
Became faintly blue by the addition of a solution of prussiate 
of potash. 
Grs. 700 of this aqueous fluid were evaporated under an ex- 
hausted receiver inclosing a quantity of dry muriate of lime: the 
residuum of the 700 grains weighed not more than half a grain, 
and consisted partly of a brown oil and partly of a sparingly so- 
luble saline matter, which by the proper tests was found to con 
tain sulphuric acid and muriatic acid; the former apparently in 
greater quantity than the latter. 
Properties of the oily Fluid. 
Taste, pungent, bituminous, and aromatic; with an odour 
similar to the taste, and slightly ammoniacal. 
Sp. gr. 0-9204. 
Boils at about 210° of Fahrenheit: remains perfectly fluid at 
32°. 
Evaporated at a medium atmospheric temperature, it leaves 
about one-sixth of its weight of the peculiar concrete substance, 
which will be described in the next section: by the assistance 
of heat, dissolves about one-third its own weight of that sub- 
stance. 
Readily catches fire upon the application of flame, and emits 
a very great quantity of smoke while burning. 
By agitation mixes temporarily with water at the common 
temperature ; from which. however it soon separates like oil. 
Shghtly soluble in boiling water; but in cooling is deposited 
so as to give a milky appearance to the water, which remains 
perfectly transparent while at or near the boiling point. 
Unites readily with alcohol and with ether at all tempera- 
tures, 
B2 By 
