On Luminosity of Meteors from Solar Reflexion. 287 
on the constituents of the blood similar to that seen im the case 
of alloxan. 
Riche* has investigated the decomposition of some bibasie 
acids. When suberic acid is heated with excess of baryta, vapours 
are given off which condense into a pale yellow liquid. On recti- 
fying this, it is found to consist principally of a liquid which 
boils at 76°, the analyses and vapour-density of which lead to 
the formula C!? H!*. Its formation may be thus expressed :— 
C6 H!? 08, 2HO+4Ba0 =C H4+ 4Ba0 CO? 
Suberic acid. Hydrocarbon. 
It is a mobile, highly refracting liquid, of specific gravity 0°671. 
It is converted by chlorine into a viscous mass with disengage- 
ment of hydrochloric acid. With bromine, iodine, nitric acid, 
and sulphuric acid no definite results are obtained. 
Sebacic acid distilled with excess of baryta behaves in a similar 
manner ; the reaction is very energetic, and it is necessary to mix 
the mass with a quantity of sand. The liquid product, when 
redistilled, consists of a hydrocarbon boiling at 127° C. It isa 
colourless, highly aromatic liquid, and burns with a blue-edged 
flame. Treated with chlorine it becomes thick, and disengages 
hydrochloric acid. Its analyses and vapour-density give for it 
the formula C!*©H'!8. It appears to contain a little of the 
body C!* H®, 
The formation of the hydrocarbon is thus: 
C* H'6 0%, 2HO+4Ba0=C!* H8 + 4BaO CO”. 
Sebacic acid. Hydrocarbon. 
From their composition these hydrocarbons would belong to the 
series of homologues of marsh-gas, C” H"*”. They are probably, 
however, only isomeric. The hydrocarbon next below the one 
from suberic acid, hydride of amyle C!° H!%, boils at 31°; while 
the hydrocarbon, C!? H™, boils at 76°, and C!® H'S boils at 127°. 
It is probable that this series of bibasic acids will yield a series 
of hydrocarbous isomeric with those from the monobasic fatty 
acids. 
XXXVIII. On Luminosity of Meteors from Solar Reflexion. 
By Ki. P. Gree, F.G.S8.+ 
i eg has as yet by no means been decided from what cause arises 
the luminosity of shooting-stars. I do not now propose to 
consider in detail all the various theories relative to this subject, 
but shall endeavour to prove that their luminosity cannot at 
least arise from solar reflexion, a theory partially supported by 
* Comptes Rendus, vol. xlix. p. 304. Repertoire de Chimie, Jan. 1860, 
+ Communicated by the Author. 
