376 Royal Society : — 



solution, after digestion for some time with animal charcoal and a 

 few drops of hj'drochloric acid, filtered whilst hot. This solution 

 deposits on cooling fine white, very hrilliant and large rhomhic plates 

 of a hard and brittle substance*. 



The analysis of this substance leads to the formula C4 H4 Cyj S4, 

 and its formation may be represented by the equation 



C4H4Cl2 + 2KCyS„=2KCl + C,H4Cy,S^. 



Sulphocyanide of ethjdene fuses at 90° C. and solidifies at 83°. 

 It is but slightly soluble in cold water, more so in boiling water, 

 from which it crystallizes in groups of needles. It is decomposed at 

 a higher temperature, and evolves a highly pungent vapour, the 

 odour of which very much resembles that of burnt onions. On 

 boiling a solution of sulphocyanide of ethylene in water, a very acrid 

 odour is observed, which produces lacrymation and violent sneezing. 

 Sulphocyanide of ethylene has a sharp taste, causing a burning sen- 

 sation HI the throat. 



Solution of ammonia decomposes sulphocyanide of ethylene even 

 at the common temperature. A flocculent substance separates, and 

 the solution contains several compounds which I have been unable 

 to separate. 



At the temperature of boiling water sulphocyanide of ethylene 

 mixes with aniline in every proportion ; no reaction, however, is per- 

 ceptible. But on boiling the mixture decomposition sets in, and a 

 volatile substance is evolved which restores the colour of reddened 

 litmus paper. 



When boiled with solution of hydrate of baryta and oxide of lead 

 or mercury, sulphocyanide of ethyl encloses its sulphur; the substance 

 left behind possesses very little power of crystallizing. In the case 

 of oxide of mercury, besides sulphide of mercury and carbonate of 

 barium, a difficultly soluble body containing mercury is formed. 



At the temperature of boiUng water, sulphocyanide of ethylene 

 dissolves readily in very dilute nitric acid ; on cooling of the solution 

 the substance is deposited unchanged. On treating it with stronger 

 nitric acid a decomposition takes place, .and a crystalline acid is 

 formed. This acid is best produced by heating sulphocyanide of 

 ethylene on the water-bath with dilute nitric acid as long as red 

 fumes of nitrous acid are evolved. The residue is a strongly acid 

 syrup, which becomes finally crystalline. It is repeatedly dissolved 

 in water and evaporated on the water-bath in order to expel the 

 nitric acid. Thus pin-ified, the new acid is dissolved in boiling water, 

 neutralized with pure carbonate of barium and separated from sul- 

 phate of barium. On cooling, the barium-salt of the new acid cry- 

 stallizes. It is soluble in boiling water, less so in cold water, and 



* Whilst M. Buff was engaged with these researches, M. Sonnenschein has 

 cominunicated some experiments matie in tlie same direction, which have Hkewise 

 led to the discovery of this suhsfance. Sonnenschein's results, which are pub- 

 lished in the Journ. fiir Prakt. Chem. June 1855, came to our knowledge only- 

 after a summary of the results had been sent to the editor of the Annalen der 

 Chem. und Pharra.— A.W. H. 



