Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 257 
as stable as the Rock itself, for the gradual changes in the members 
of so respectable a garrison are ever likely to renew its spirit. We 
are alluding to “ The Gibraltar Scientific Society,” of which Dr. Bur- 
row, D.D., F.R.S., is the worthy president ; and we hope soon to 
learn the names of the Council. One of that body, Captain W. H, 
Shirreff, R.N., and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of 
London, possesses a well-situated observatory, mounted with excellent 
instruments, in the use of which he has long been expert. This gen- 
tleman introduced two young officers of great merit to the December 
meeting, Lieut. Graves and Lieut. Stanley, of the Navy, on which occa- 
sion they were elected honorary members, as a mark of consideration for 
their hydrographical labours in the Archipelago. We look forward to 
the proceedings of this promising association with much interest. 
The respected correspondent to whom we are indebted for the 
foregoing notice adds the following : 
“From a letter from Sig. Cacciatore, of Palermo, I find that the 
University of Catania are about to build and equip an Observatory, 
partly at their own expense, and partly at that of the King of Naples. 
I have been applied to respecting instruments, &c.” 
LII. Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 
ON NITRO-BENZIDE AND SULPHO-BENZIDE. BY E. MITSCHER- 
LICH. 
Nitro-ben- HEN hot and fuming nitric acid is gradually 
zide.— added to benzine, action ensues, accompanied 
with the evolution of heat; and a peculiar substance is formed, which 
remains dissolved in the hot nitric acid; but when cooled it partly 
separates, and floats on the surface. If the acid is then diluted with 
water, this product falls to the bottom of the vessel. By washing, 
and then distilling this substance, it may be obtained perfectly pure, 
as a yellowish liquid, possessing a very sweet taste and peculiar 
odour, somewhat between that of the volatile oil of almonds and oil 
of cinnamon. Its specific gravity is 1-209 at 59° Fahr., it boils at 
415-4° Fahr., and distills unchanged. At $7-4° Fahr. it solidifies, 
affording acicular crystals. 
This substance may be distilled unchanged with nitric acid. Di- 
luted sulphuric acid does not act on it ; but when the concentrated 
acid is boiled with it, it is decomposed, with the disengagement of 
sulphurous acid gas, and the solution becomes highly coloured. When 
heated with potassium, it detonates so violently as to break the ves- 
sel. It is almost insoluble in water ; neither ether nor alcohol act 
onit. The strong acids, such as the nitric and sulphuric, readily 
dissolve it, better at a high than alow temperature. [t is composed of 
12 volumes of the vapour of carbon, — 
10 hydrogen, 
2 azote, 
4 . oxygen. 
Third Series. Vol. 8. No. 45. March 1836. 2D 
