Notice from Dr. Robert Hare. — 329° 
differs from that usually known as nitrous or nitric ether in being’ 
Sweeter to the taste, more bland to the smell, and more volatile. 
It boils below 65° of F., and produces by its spontaneous evapora= 
tion a temperature of 0- 15° F. On contact with the finger or 
tongue it hisses as water does with red hot iron. After being made 
to boil, if-allowed to stand for some time ata temperature below its 
boiling point, ebullition may be renewed in it apparently at a tem- 
perature lower than that at which it had ceased. Possibly this ap- 
parent ebullition arises from the partial resolution of the liquid into 
an aeriform ethereal fluid; which escapes, both during the distilla- 
tion of the liquid ether eu after it has ceased, at a temperature be- 
low freezing. This aeriform product has been found partially con-- 
densible ae pressure, into a yellow liquid, the vapor of which, when 
allowed to enter the mouth or nose, produced an impression like 
that of the liquid ether. I conjecture that it consists of nitric ox- 
ide, so united to a portion of the ether as to prevent the wonted 
reaction of this gas with atmospheric oxygen. Hence it does: not 
produce red fumes on being mingled with air. *— 
Towards the end of the ordinary process for the “avalon of. 
the sweet spirits of nitre, a volatile acrid liquid-is created which 
affects the eyes and nose like mustard, or horse radish. 
When the new ether as it first condenses is distilled from quick- 
~ lime, this earth becomes imbued with an essential ‘oil which it 
yields to hydric ether. This oil maybe afterwards isolated by 
the spontaneous evaporation of its solvent. It has a mixed odor, 
partly agreeable, partly unpleasant. From the affinity of its odor 
and that of common nitrous ether, I infer that it is one of the 
impurities which exist in that apmnpeoind. 
The new ether is obtained in the highest ical of purity, 
though in) ‘less quantity, by introducing the materials into a strong 
well ground st bottle, refrigerated by snow and salt. After 
some time the ether will form a supernatant stratum, which may 
be separated by decomposition. Any acid, having a stronger af- 
finity for the alkaline base than the hyponitrous acid, will answer 
to generate this ether. Acetic acid not only extricates but ap- 
pears to combine with it, forming apparently a hyponitro-acetic 
ether. 
SE cheecyel some years ago that when olefiant gas is inflamed 
With an rl supply of oxygen, carbon is deposited, while 
he resulting 2g double the space of the mixture before 
Vou. XX XV. aun, 42 
