576 



ammonia were given off on applying the heat. As soon as the evolution 

 of this gas had ceased, the alcohol was distilled off and the residue 

 treated with a considerahle excess of hydrochloric acid. This was 

 then heated gently as long as acid vapours continued to be evolved, 

 digested with absolute alcohol, and filtered, and then the filtrate was 

 evaporated to dryness. The dry mass thus obtained was treated several 

 times with alcohol in a similar manner. The result of these repeated 

 digestions was then dissolved in water, and a few drops of a solution of 

 nitrate of silver were added to it, which occasioned a slight precipitate 

 of chloride of silver. This was separated by filtration, and the filtrate 

 was exactly neutralized with ammonia. On adding excess of nitrate of 

 silver to this, an abundant white precipitate was obtained, very soluble 

 in nitric acid and ammonia. This gave, on analysis, numbers agree- 

 ing very well with the composition of succinate of silver. The acid 

 itself possessed also all the properties of succinic acid. It sublimed 

 on the application of heat, was soluble in water, alcohol, and ether, 

 and gave, when neutralized, a reddish-brown precipitate with per- 

 chloride of iron. Moreover, on digesting this precipitate with am- 

 monia, an acid could be detected in the filtered liquor, which gave 

 white precipitates with nitrate of silver, and with a mixture of chlo- 

 ride of barium and alcohol. 



Succinic acid can then be obtained from glycol in the same manner 

 as propionic acid from ordinary alcohol ; the bromide of ethylene, 

 the point from which I started, being capable of derivation from the 

 diatomic alcohol. 



I propose extending this investigation to some other hydrocarbons 

 of the series C n H n , with the view of ascertaining whether or not the 

 homologues of succinic acid can be obtained from these bodies by a 

 similar process. 



IV. "Results of Researches on the Electric Function of the 

 Torpedo." By Professor CARLO MATTEUCCI of Pisa. In 

 a Letter to Dr. SHARPEY, Sec. R.S. Received August 3, 



1860. 



(Extract.) 



" It has hitherto been believed that the action of the electric organ 

 of the Torpedo was momentary only; that it becomes charged 



