152 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



and lastly C-" H" CP N^, which is merely chlorinated nicotina, or per- 

 haps a polymeric of this alkaloid. 



The author states, that cinnamic acid, and even margaric acid, 

 have already griven him results comparable to the preceding. Su- 

 beric acid, under the same circumstances, gives rise to two new 

 bodies, one of which is liquid and the other solid. 



M. Saint-Evre states that he is now engaged in submitting to the 

 same kind of reaction the anisic, cinnamic, nitrobenzoic, and hip- 

 puric acids. — Comp.e., Rendus, Decembre 13, 1847. 



ACTION OF CHLORINE ON CYANIDE OF MERCURY. BY J. BOUIS, 



When bottles of chlorine are exposed to the solar rays with a 

 saturated and boiling solution of cyanide of mercury, there are pro- 

 duced, after a certain time, some drops which fall to the bottom of 

 the water, in the form of a heavy yellow oil. The chlorine is 

 absorbed with rapidity, and it must be supplied till the colour ceases 

 to disappear. During the reaction there are formed chloride of mer- 

 cury, hydrochloric acid, and hydrochlorate of ammonia, which remain 

 dissolved in the water ; chloride of cyanogen, nitrogen, and carbonic 

 acid are disengaged. 



M. Jules Bonis has examined this reaction. The yellow oil A 

 which is produced has an extremely strong and irritating odour, and 

 occasions a great flow of tears. It is more dense than water, and 

 insoluble in it ; but it is decomposed by it, and acquires an acid re- 

 action. It is soluble in aether and in alcohol. Whether moist or 

 dry, it deposits after a long time crystals of sesquichloride of carbon 

 C- Cl^. It explodes when heated. 



This very changeable substance gave by analysis, carbon 10*47 to 

 10-92; nitrogen 8-34 to 8-43; chlorine 78-49 to 78-89. M. Bouis 

 deduces from these results the formula [0° N* CI'*], which requires 

 carbon ll'G; nitrogen 8-9; chlorine 79-5. 



It is to be observed that the coincidence is not perfect ; according 

 to this formula, there would even be a loss of 2 })er cent, on the sum 

 of the elements obtained by experiment. But it is to be remembered 

 that the substance is very difficult to operate with, and a nearer ap- 

 proximation is perhaps impossible. M. Bouis does not say whether 

 he collected any water by the combustion of this substance ; and M. 

 Gerhardt observes, that the formula C N* H CI would require, car- 

 bon 11-4 ; nitrogen 8-9 ; hydrogen 0-3 ; chlorine 79-4. 



When this compound is exposed to the action of a moderate heat 

 it boils, gives out nitrogen mixed with carbonic acid, and there di- 

 stils a colourless liquid B, which, on standing, deposits crystals of 

 sesquichloride of carbon C'^ CI®. 



This new liquid is colourless, limpid, heavier than water, and has 

 a strong irritating odour. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in 



