132 Chemistry and Chemical Arts. 
containing phosphoric acid, taking care to pour it back, from time to 
ume. A colorless oil is obtained in the recipient, which is dissolved 
in a solution of caustic potash of the density of 1.12; the scum 
which rises is removed, and the liquid is left exposed to the air in a 
large vessel ; the oil becomes brown from the oxidation of a foreign 
substance it contains ; it is saturated with sulphuric acid, and the oil 
is removed while it is still hot and distilled. A bituminous residue 
remains in the retort. The solution in caustic alkali, and the follow- 
ing operations must be repeated until the oil no longer grows brown 
in the air, but merely assumes a slightly reddish tint. Distil the oil 
in a retort, with a more concentrated solution of potash, continuing 
the distillation so long as the liquid passes over clear, and finally rec- 
tify the product by distilling it anew in a small retort. The first 
portions that come over, being mixed with a good deal of water, are 
rejected, but the last are preserved as pure creosote. In all these 
distillations it is necessary to prevent the condensation of drops upon 
the sides of the retort, since they are liable to decomposition from 
the action of the fire ; nor must the evaporation be carried too far. 
It has the following properties: It is an oleaginous liquid, colorless, 
rent, and powerfully refractive. Its odor is very penetrating 
and disagreeable; resembling that of smoked meat. Its taste is 
very caustic and burning, instantly corroding the tongue. It is a 
little oily to the touch, and has the consistency of oil of almonds. 
Sp. gr.=1.037. It boils at 203° C., and does not congeal even 
at —27°. It soils paper, but the spots are removed by holding the 
paper before a gentle fire. It burns in the lamp with a very red 
flame. It is a non-conductor of electricity. 
At the temperature of 20° C., creosote forms two compounds with 
water ; the first is a solution of $ of a part of creosote in 100 parts 
of water; the other is a solution of 10 parts of water in 100 of cre- 
osote. The tinctures of turnsole and of curcuma are not altered by 
the solution of creosote. It is not neutralized by acids nor by alka- 
lies ; and still it forms a great number of compounds with the acids 
and with the bases. 
The concentrated creosote dissolves the oxide of copper and as- 
sumes a chocolate brown color ; it reduces the oxide of mercury to 
the metallic state at the temperature of boiling water, and is convel- 
ted into a resinous matter which contains no more creosote. With 
nitric acid, it forms very abundant red vapors. It readily dissolves 
iodine and phosphorus. Sulphur dissolves it slowly when cold, 
