84 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 
decomposes it ; absorbs the oxygen and becomes very concentrated 
acetic acid. Phosphorus, iodine and sulphur are dissolved by this 
fluid, and much heat is given out during its combination with bro- 
mine and chlorine, and hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids are formed, 
and it appears then to be converted into dromaland chloral. Nitric 
acid, when heated with aldehyd, decomposes it ; nitric acid [oxide ?] 
and nitrous acid being disengaged. By the action of heat it is con- 
verted into a yellow turbid fluid, cn the surface of which a resinous 
substance of a red brown colour appears, so elastic that it may be 
drawn out into long filaments; this substance is called by M. Liebig, 
resin of aldehyd ; long prismatic crystals are formed in aldehyd kept 
in bottles. 
These crystals are but slightly volatile ; they do not freeze at 
212°; they sublime in very brilliant white transparent needles, and 
they are hard and easily pulverized ; they are inodorous, combustible, 
nearly insoluble in water, but dissolved by alcohol and ether. M. Lie- 
big inquires whether these crystals are produced by the absorption 
of oxygen, and he has not decided the question. After the formation 
of these crystals, the aldehyd contains another soft (mow) volatile liquid, 
which bears a great resemblance to acetal. 
Aldehyd is composed of 
4 atoms carbon...... 305°748......+. 55°024 
S atoms hydrogen.... 49°918...... . $983 
2 atoms oxygen...... 200;000. ...< .. »» 35°993 
555°666 100-000 
Journal de Chimie Médicale, Novembre 1835. 
ON THE PROPERTIES OF TELLURIUM. BY BERZELIUS. 
When tellurium is fused in a glass vessel containing hydrogen, and 
it is allowed to cool slowly, a very shining regulus is obtained, re- 
sembling burnished silver. The surface in contact with the glass is 
a perfect mirror. The other surface is covered with a crystalline ve- 
getation, perfectly analogous to that which is formed when a solution 
of muriate of ammonia is dried upon a glass plate : the crystallization 
appears to appertain to a regular system; but when the regulus is 
broken and the angle of the crystallized surface is measured, it is 
found to be incompatible with a regular system. If the metal be 
fused in a cupel in a sand-bath it presents crystals, the form of which 
is determinable. 
Tellurium is not in the slightest degree malleable; it may be re- 
duced to the finest powder, so as to entirely lose its metallic lustre. If 
this powder be sprinkled with water, it is covered with a grey, brilliant, 
metallic pellicle, which it is difficult to sink in water. In this respect 
it resembles the powder of sulphur, selenium, and silicon. 
The fusing point of tellurium is such as to soften glass too much 
to retain it. If it be heated in glass to full redness, the body of the 
retort is filled with a yellow-coloured gas resembling chlorine; some 
