340 On two new Compounds 
decanted the water, the chloride is to be collected on a filter, 
and dried as much as may be by pressure between folds of bi- 
bulous paper. It should next be introduced into a glass tube, 
and sublimed by a spirit-lamp: the pure substance with water 
will rise at first, but the last portions will be partially decom- 
posed, muriatic acid will be liberated, and charcoal left. The 
sublimed portion is then to be dissolved in alcohol, and poured 
into a weak solution of potash, by which the substance is thrown 
down, and the muriatic acid neutralized and separated; then 
wash away the potash and muriate by repeated affusions of wa- 
ter, until the substance remains pure; collect it on a filter, and 
dry it, first between folds of paper, and afterwards by sulphuric 
acid in the exhausted receiver of the air-pump. 
It will now appear as a white pulverulent substance; and if 
perfectly pure will not, when a little of it is sublimed in a tube, 
leave the slightest trace of carbon, or liberate any muriatic acid. 
A small portion of it dissolved in ether, should give no precipi- 
tate with nitrate of silver. If it be not quite pure, it must be 
resublimed, washed, and dried until it is pure. 
This substance does not require the direct rays of the sun for 
its formation. Several tubes were filled with a mixture of one 
part of olefiant gas with five or six parts of chlorine, and placed 
over water in the light of a dull day; in two or three hours there 
was very considerable absorption, and crystals of the substance 
were deposited on the inside of the tubes. I have also often ob- 
served the formation of the crystals in retorts in common day 
light. 
A retort being exhausted had 12 cubic inches of olefiant gas 
introduced, and 24-75 cubic inches of chlorine: as soon as the 
condensation occasioned by the formation of the fluid had taken 
place, 21:5 cubie inches more of chlorine were passed in, and 
the retort set aside ina dark place for two days. At the end of 
that time muriatic acid gas and the solid chloride had formed, 
but the greater part of the fluid remained unchanged. Hence it 
will form eyen in the dark by length of time. 
I tried to produce the chloride by exposure of the two gases 
in tubes over water to strong lamp light for two or three hours, 
but could not succeed. 
The perchloride of carbon, when pure, is immediately after 
fusion, or sublimation, a transparent colourless substance. It 
has scarcely any taste. Its odour is aromatic, and approaching 
to that of camphor. Its specific gravity is as nearly as possible 2. 
Its refractive power is high, being above that of flint glass 
(15767). It is very friable, easily breaking down under pres- 
sure ; and when scratched has much of the feel and appearance 
of white sugar. It does not conduet electricity. 
The 
