189 



To produce the effects described, brown sherry of the best quality 

 was employed. Inferior sherry wines alter the outline of the cor- 

 puscles, but do not cause the production either of tails or molecules. 

 With other sherry wines of a better kind, the author finds it preferable 

 to mix them with a fourth or a fifth part of the saline solution instead 

 of one-third ; he has tried port-wines and various mixtures of brandy 

 and water, with and without sugar, but almost always without the 

 effect here described. 



V. "Researches on the Phosphorus-Bases." No. VII. Tri- 

 phosphonium- Compounds. By A. W. HOFMANN, LL.D., 

 F.R.S. &c. Received October 18, 1859. 



In several previous communications I have submitted to the Royal 

 Society the results which I have obtained in examining the deport- 

 ment of triethylphosphine with dibromide of ethylene, as the proto- 

 type of diatomic bromides. I have shown that the final product of 

 this reaction is a diatomic salt corresponding to two molecules of 

 chloride of ammonium. 



The further prosecution of the study of triethylphosphine in this 

 direction has led me to investigate the derivatives generated by the 

 phosphorus-base, when submitted to the action of triatomic chlorides, 

 bromides, and iodides. 



The most accessible terms of this group being chloroform, bromo- 

 form, and iodoform, the changes of triethylphosphine under the in- 

 fluence of these agents have more especially claimed my attention. 



Action of Iodoform on Triethylphosphine. 



Both substances unite with energy at the common temperature. 

 In order to avoid the inflammation of the phosphorus-base, small 

 quantities of the materials should be mixed at a time. The products 

 of the reaction vary with the relative proportions of the two sub- 

 stances. 



By adding gradually crystals of iodoform to a moderate bulk of 

 triethylphosphine until a new addition produces no longer an eleva- 

 tion of temperature, a viscous mass of a clear yellow colour is obtained, 

 which, when treated with alcohol, changes to a white powder of cry- 



