28 Improvements in Physical Science (JAN. 
7. Carburet of Phosphorus.—This is a tasteless substance, of a 
lemon-yellow colour. It is probably gradually acidified by exposure 
to the air; at least I find that it attracts moisture. It does not melt 
when heated, but burns with considerable splendour. A red heat 
drives off the carbon, and leaves the phosphorus. It is composed 
of 1 atom phosphorus + 1 atom carbon. It is obtained when 
phosphuret of lime is dissolved in muriatic acid. 
8. Phosphuret of Potash.—Professor Sementini, at Rome, has 
announced the discovery of a compound of phosphorus and potash. 
His experiments were published in the Annals, vii. 280. It was 
obtained by leaving pieces of phosphorus in a saturated solution of 
potash in alcohol. Brilliant scales were gradually deposited at the 
bottom of the vessel. These scales constituted the substance in 
question. 
9. Composition of Alcohol and Ether.—Gay-Lussac has rendered 
it very probable (Ann. de Chim. xev. 311) that alcohol is com- 
posed of 
One volume olefiant gas, 
One volume vapour of water, 
condensed into one volume. This is the same thing as to say that 
alcohol is a compound of 2 atoms of olefiant gas + 1 atom of 
water. 
Ether, according to him, is composed of 
Two volumes olefiant gas, 
One volume of vapour of water, 
condensed into one volume. It is, therefore, a compound of 4 
atoms olefiant gas + 1 atom water. 
10. Sulphuric Ether.—Gay-Lussac has observed that when sul- 
phuric ether is kept for some time in vessels containing a good deal 
of air, and occasionally opened, it undergoes a spontaneous altera- 
tion. Acetic acid makes its appearance in it, and a peculiar oil, 
which seems to have the property of combining and forming a solid 
detonating compound with muriatic acid. (Ann. de Chim. et Phys. 
ii. 98.) M. Planche had previously observed the evolution of acetic 
acid in ether kept under the circumstances pointed out by Gay- 
Lussac. (Ibid. 213.) 
11. Strength of Wine.—Mr. Brande lately examined a Greek 
wine called Lissa, imported into this country, and likewise some 
genuine Marsala from Sicily. The quantity of alcohol contained in 
100 parts of each he found as follows :— 
Wiaissa;s. 3. 83 Bhausls orci by Sele sh oleracea! 20) Se tOn GA: 
FN eA niacin Gide avec ss SOS tO ees 
These, therefore, are the strongest wines hitherto examined. 
(Journal of the Royal Institution, i, 136.) 
