293 



chemistry we are acquainted with a compound closely allied in com- 

 position and formation to the new compound. Bisulphide of carbon, 

 when treated with an alcoholic solution of ammonia, furnishes, together 

 with other products, a salt crystallized in long lemon-yellow needles, 

 which is known by the name of sulphocarbamate of ammonium. 



This compound, 



(H 4 N)H 2 N,C 2 S 4 , 



when treated with diluted acids, is converted into an oily acid of but 

 little stability, sulphocarbamic acid : 



HH 2 N,C 2 S 4 . 



If we replace in this compound the hydrogen by ethyl, the nitrogen 

 by phosphorus, in other words, if we replace the ammonia by tri- 

 ethylphosphine, we arrive at the composition of the body which forms 

 the subject of this note. 



I have convinced myself experimentally that trimethylphosphine 

 exhibits with bisulphide of carbon a perfectly similar deportment. 

 The compound formed is likewise of a crimson colour, but of a some- 

 what lighter tint; it is more volatile and more readily soluble in 

 alcohol than the corresponding ethyl-compound : it is also somewhat 

 soluble in water. 



Triethylarsin is riot altered by the addition of bisulphide of carbon ; 

 after some time, however, long needles are formed in the mixture of 

 the two bodies. These needles are probably an analogous arsenic- 

 compound : I have not however examined them. A mixture of 

 triethylstibin and bisulphide of carbon was preserved for several 

 months, without undergoing any change* 



VIII. " Contributions towards the History of the Mon- 

 amines." By A. W. HOFMANN, Ph.D., F.R.S. &c. Received 

 May 28, 1858. 



The progress of my experiments on the poly-ammonias and on the 

 phosphorus-bases, now and then involves the study of reactions 

 which are scarcely comprised between the boundary lines of the 

 principal inquiries. For the sake of perspicuity, I beg leave to sub- 

 mit the results of these studies separately to the Society. 



1 . Action of Bibromide of Ethylene on Trimethylamine. 

 The unexpected result obtained in the action of bibromide of ethyl- 



