64 Perchlorate of the Oxide of E'thule, Sc. 
to afford a full view of the different parts of the apparatus, should 
be erected in front of it, and strings passed around the screen and 
attached to a bar traversing on a pivot, and supporting an argand 
spirit lamp, by which heat is communicated to the oil-bath, so as 
to enable the flame of the lamp to be removed from or applied to 
the apparatus, according to the indications of the thermometer, 
without exposing the person of the operator. After the heat has 
reached 212° F'., below which the salts employed do not react on 
each other, it shone be raised very gradually, and the distillation 
finished below 340° F. Under these circumstances but little 
danger is to be apprehended from the retort, but the ether in the 
receiver must be mated with the greatest caution, since it has 
in our hands in attempting to remove it with a pipette 
eum the stratum of water which covers it. This water, there- 
fore, should be removed by the cautious use of strips of blotting 
paper, moistened at the end, and introduced into the tube Bite; 
ployed as a receiver. 
To avoid the danger attendant on sha sieninaitis of hk Ses 
in its pure state, it may be received in strong alcohol, since it is 
not explosive when dissolved in alcohol. If the experiment be 
performed with seventy grains of sulphate of barytes, from one 
to two drachms of absolute alcohol will be found suflicient for 
this purpose. By the addition of an equal volume of water, the 
ether may subsequently be separated from this solution, in small 
quantities, for the purpose of examination. But, in this case, a 
loss of ether is sustained by the decomposing influence of the 
— “sea ‘aie 
Diecpenubenate of ethule obtained in this way isa transpa- 
ae colorless liquid, possessing a peculiar, though agreeable 
smell, and a very sweet taste, which, on subsiding, leaves a biting 
impression on the tongue, resembling that of the oil of cinnamon. 
It is heavier than water, through which it rapidly sinks. It ex- 
plodes by ignition, friction, or percussion, and sometimes without 
any assignable cause, Its explosive properties may be show); 
with but little danger, by pouring a small portion of the alco- 
holic solution into a porcelain capsule, and adding an equal vol- 
ume of water. The ether will collect in a drop at the bottom, 
and may be subsequently separated by pouring off the greater 
part of the water, and throwing the rest on a moistened filter, 
supported by a wire. After the water magyar off, ahe-ee 
