Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 259 
of alcohol, and if the density of each two ounces of preduct as it is 
obtained be taken, it will be observed that this density passes gra- 
dually from 0-780 to 0-788 and 0°798, and afterwards remains con- 
stantly at the last-mentioned density, which is exactly that of the 
alcohol employed. If the operation be properly conducted, an 
unlimited quantity of alcohol may be converted into ether, provided 
that the sulphuric acid does not change. ‘The distilled liquor is 
formed of two distinct fluids ; the upper one is ether, containing a 
little water and alcohol ; the lower one is water, with a little alcohol 
and ether, Its weight is nearly equal to that of the alcohol employed, 
and it is composed of 
SEEDED ais oo dates 65 
Alcohol). |5 plex. 442 18 
Water 4,240.45 scr. 17—100 
If into six ounces of concentrated sulphuric acid six ounces of 
pure alcohol are suffered to flow gradually, a product of constant 
density is not obtained until the sulphuric acid has taken its pro- 
portion of water. Take, on the contrary, three ounces of sulphuric 
acid and two ounces of water, and let alcohol be added, drop by drop ; 
the first two ounces distilled are merely spirit, if wine of specific 
gravity 0-926, containing scarcely a trace of ether. The density 
decreases until the quantity of water of the sulphuric acid is re- 
duced to its proportion, and the product of the distillation has ac- 
quired the density of the alcohol. 
If concentrated sulphuric acid be added to anhydrous alcohol in 
excess, pure alcohol distils at first; but when the temperature 
reaches nearly 260°, the first traces of ether begin to appear; the 
production of ether is at its maximum between 284° and 302°. 
It results, from the preceding observations, that alcohol, when in 
contact with sulphuric acid, is converted into zther and water at a 
temperature of about 284°. A great number of analogous deconi- 
positions and combinations are known, which may be attributed en- 
tirely to the influence of the contact of bodies. The most remark- 
able example of this kind is that of the conversion of oxygenated 
water into water and oxygen, by the slightest trace of the peroxide of 
manganese and some other substances. The decomposition of sugar 
into alcohol and carbonic acid, the oxidizement of alcohol when it is 
changed into vinegar, are phenomena of the same kind ; and so also 
is the conversion of starch and sugar by means of sulphuric acid. 
M. Mitscherlich, observing that in the preparation of carburetted 
hydrogen by means of sulphuric acid and alcohol water is formed 
at the same time, attributes this decomposition of alcohol to the 
influence of mere contact, and not to the affinity of sulphuric acid 
for water.—Journal de Pharmacie, Juin 1835. 
ON THE SEPARATION OF BARYTES AND STRONTIA.—BY 
MR. J. D. SMITH. 
The great analogy existing between the salts of barytes and strontia, 
may render an observation on the difference of solubility in water of 
2D2 
