314 CHEMICAL DISCOVERY AND INVENTION 



water, and provided with a paddle. A number of these vessels 

 stand side by side, and the contents are stirred by power. After 

 the action of the acid is completed the nitrobenzene or nitro- 

 toluene floating on the acid is separated, and is washed free from 

 acid by mixing it with water in a similar iron or glazed stoneware 

 vessel. It is then separated from the water in which it sinks. 



d 



e 



a 



c 



FIG. 107. ANILINE STILL. 



Nitrobenzene is a pale yellow liquid with a strong smell of bitter 

 almond oil, and is to some extent used in perfumery under the 

 name of " Oil of Mirbane." 



The conversion of nitrobenzene into aniline is effected in a 

 series of vessels, the arrangement of which is shown diagram- 

 matically in the figure. 



a is a cast-iron pot provided with a stirrer c, the axis of which 

 b is a pipe by which steam may be introduced when required. 



