1821.] of Chlorine and Carbon, £)C. 119 



and the means which had succeeded with the one element 

 offered the best promise of success with the other. 



Iodine and defiant gas were put in various proportions into 

 retorts, and exposed to the sun's rays. After a while, colourless 

 crystals formed in the vessels, and a partial vacuum was pro- 

 duced. The gas in the vessels being then examined, was found 

 to contain no hydriodic acid, but only pure defiant gas. Hence, 

 the effect had been simply to produce a compound of the iodine 

 with the olefiar.t gas. 



The new body formed was obtained pure by introducing a 

 solution of potash into the retort, which dissolved aU the free 

 iodine; the substance was then collected together and dried. 

 It is a solid white crystalline body, having a sweet taste and 

 aromatic smell. It sinks readily in sulphuric acid of specific 

 gravity 1*85. It is friable ; is not a conductor of electricity. 

 When heated, it first fuses, and then sublimes without any 

 change. Its vapour condenses into crystals, which are either 

 prismatic, or in plates. On becoming solid after fusion, it also 

 crystallizes in needles. The crystals are transparent. When 

 highly heated it is decomposed, and iodine evolved. It is not 

 readily combustible ; but when held in the flame of a spirit 

 lamp, burns, diminishing the flame, and giving off abundance 

 of iodine, and some fumes of hydriodic acid. It is insoluble in 

 water, or in acid and alkaline solutions. It is soluble in alcohol 

 and ether, and may be obtained in crystals from these solutions. 

 The alcoholic solution is of a very sweet taste, but leaves a pecu- 

 liarly sharp biting sensation on the tongue. 



Sulphuric acid does not dissolve it. When heated in the acid 

 to between 300° and 400°, the compound is decomposed, appa- 

 rently by the heat alone ; and iodine and a gas, probably defiant 

 gas, are liberated. Solution of potash acts on it very slowly, 

 even at the boiling point, but does gradually decompose it. 



This substance is evidently analogous to the compound of 

 olefiant gas and chlorine, and remarkably resembles it in the 

 sweetness of its taste, though it differs from it in form, 6cc. It 

 will with that body form a new class of compounds, and they 

 will require names to distinguish them. The term chloric ether, 

 applied to the compound of olefiant gas and chlorine, did not. at 

 any time convey a very definite idea, and the analogous name of 

 iodic ether would evidently be very improper for a solid crystal- 

 line body heavier than sulphuric acid. Mr. Brande has suggested 

 the names ofhydriodide of carbon, and hydrochloride of carbon, 

 for these two bodies. Perhaps as their general properties 

 range with those of the combustibles, while the specific nature 

 of the compound is decided by the supporter of combustion 

 which is in combination, the terms of hydrocarburet of chlorine, 

 and hydrocarburet of iodine, may be considered as appropriate 

 lor them. 



