on Alcohol at common Temperatures. 41 



hydrochloric acid, and the sulphuric acid precipitated by chloride 

 of barium, gave 1'204 grm. sulphate of baryta. 



The substance employed was di'ied in vacuo. In 100 parts, — 



I. II. 



Carbon .... 8-44 8-44 



Hydrogen ... 2-16 2-17 



Sodium .... 16-09 16-04 



Oxygen . 



Sulphurous acid . ... 45*40 



These numbers lead to the formula 



2(NaH0, S02), C^ H4 03*, 

 according to which the substance ought to contain — 



Carbon 2 24 8-45 



Hydrogen .... 6 6 2-11 



Sodium 2 46 16-19 



Oxygen 5 80 28-16 



Sulphurous^acid . . 2 J^ 45-09 



284 100-00 

 I have to thank Prof, von Liebig for kindly permitting me to 

 execute the above analytical determinations in his laboratory, 

 whilst I was staying in Germany during last midsummer vacation. 

 From the compound 2(NaH0, SO^), C^H^O^ the glyoxal 

 cannot be separated by addition of carbonate of soda, so as to 

 neutralize the sulphurous acid completely. Even if not sufficient 

 carbonate of soda is added, and the 2(Na HO, SO'^), C^ H'' 0^ is 

 left in excess, the liquid turns dark brown, which colour increases 

 on application of heat, and gradually a dark precipitate falls down. 

 The reason of this is, apparently, the formation of a new kind of 

 sulphur compound from the glyoxal. The latter by itself alone 

 is altered in a very different manner by contact with alkaline 

 substances, as I shall show presently. 



Glyoxal ivith bisulphite of ammonia, C^ H^ (NH'i)^ 0^, 280^. 



A strong solution of bisulphite of ammonia mixed with glyoxal 

 deposits very soon a large quantity of beautiful crystals of the 

 above compound ; at the same time a considerable evolution of 

 heat takes place. One or two crystallizations from boiling water 

 are sufficient for its purification. In effecting this object, if the 

 boiling is continued too long, the solution acquires a yellow 

 colour, and the compound is partly decomposed. 



It crystallizes in prisms of great lustre, which dissolve easily 

 in water, but are almost entirely insoluble in alcohol. The 

 aqueous solution is precipitated by acetate of lead, but not by 

 salts of copper, zinc, or silver. 



* s=;-(2. 



