158 



force, shall have the dynamical property by ivhich the optical phe- 

 nomena of transparent bodies in the magnetic field are explained; 

 (2) with spiral arrangements of component parts, having axes all 

 ranged parallel to a fixed line, shall have the axial rotatory property 

 corresponding to that of quartz crystal ; and (3) with spiral arrange- 

 ments of component groups, having axes totally unarranged, shall 

 have the isotropic rotatory property possessed by solutions of sugar 

 and tartaric acid, by oil of turpentine, and many other liquids. 



V. " Researches on the Action of Sulphuric Acid upon the 

 Amides and Nitriles, with Remarks on the Conjugate 

 Sulpho-acids." By GEORGE B. BUCKTON, Esq., F.L.S., 

 F.C.S., and A. W. HOFMANN, Ph.D., F.R.S. .Received 

 May 13, 1856. 



(Abstract.) 



Since we had the honour of addressing the Royal Society upon 

 the subject of the behaviour of acetamide and acetonitrile towards 

 sulphuric acid, we have completed our experiments upon the amides 

 and nitriles, and extended our researches to other groups of bodies. 

 The results of these additional inquiries we now beg to present in the 

 form of a second short summary, the analytical details and the more 

 extended description of the new compounds being given in the com- 

 plete memoir, which, at the same time, we have the honour of sub- 

 mitting to the Society. 



Before proceeding, however, to give an account of our new com- 

 pounds, it may be desirable to state that several considerations, sug- 

 gested by the progress of our inquiry, have induced us finally to 

 adopt the name of Disulphometholic acid instead of the provisional 

 term Tetrasulphometbylic acid under which we have described, in 

 our first communication, the new acid generated by the action of sul- 

 phuric acid upon 'acetamide and acetonitrile. 



ETHYL-SERIES. 



Action of Sulphuric Acid upon Propionitrile. 

 Considerable difficulty is experienced in preparing this nitrile in a 



