Oils ofEsdragon, Sabine^ and Potatoe-Spirit — Ainilen. 439 



tution has not been followed in this case; the oil has lost 1 atom 

 of oxygen and taken H^ N. 



Bromide of camphor, C-^H^-O- + Br"*, is crystallized, deli- 

 quesces in the air ; bromine flies off' and leaves camphor; this 

 change is effected immediately by ammonia. When distilled 

 it is also decomposed, but generally some hydrobromic acid, 

 and an oily bromide are formed, C-" H^- O- + Br* = C-° H^o Br- 

 O- + H- Br-. {Compt. Rendus, x. p. 531.) 



Oil of Potatoe-Spirit — Atnilen. 



M. Cahours has published some more of his experiments on 

 the oil of potatoe-spirit. Hydrochlorate of amilen is obtained 

 by distilling equal parts of the oil and chloride of phosphorus ; 

 the product is washed with water in which a little potassa has 

 been dissolved, dried over chloride of calcium, and distilled. It 

 is a colourless, aromatic, agreeably smelling fluid, insoluble in 

 water; boils at 102°; does not change litmus paper, and is not 

 decomposed by nitrate of silver. It burns with a flame with 

 green margin. Formula C'" H-- C1-. M. Cahours examined 

 the action o/ chlorine on this substance when in the sunshine; 

 hydrochloric acid gas was developed, but soon ceased. The 

 product was a clear colourless liquid, smelling like camphor. 

 Formula C"^ H'' Cl'« = C"^ H-=CP - H'« + Cl'^. 



Acetate of amilen is easily obtained by distilling a mixture 

 of tvvo parts of acetate of potash, one part potatoe-oil, and one 

 part sulphuric acid ; the product is dried by means of chloride 

 of calcium, and distilled over oxide of lead. It is a colourless 

 volatile liquid, which boils at 125°. The smell is somewhat 

 similar to that of acetic aether; lighter than water; insoluble in 

 the same, but soluble in alcohol, aether and potatoe-oil ; is de- 

 composed by an alcoholic solution of potassa into acetate of 

 potash and potatoe-spirit oil. Density of the vapour 4'*458 ; 

 calculated 4"4'75. If chlorine be passed into this ajther heated 

 to 100°, until no more hydrochloric acid gas is givenofF, a pro- 

 duct is obtained, whose formula is C* H' 0% C"' H'^" O CI*, 

 similar to Malaguti's " Ether acetique Chlorure." In the 

 sunshine this body is acted on by chlorine; small crystals are 

 formed, but the products have not been examined. By the 

 action of spongy platinum the oil of potatoe-spirit is converted 

 into valerianic acid. {Ann. de Chim. et de Phys. Ixxv.) 



On the Resins of Benzoin. By M. Van der Vliet. 

 Benzoin is pulverized and boiled with carbonate of soda; 

 one of the resins is dissolved, the brown solution is filtered, 

 treated with hydrochloric acid, and thrown boiling hot on a 



