623 



nium ; the bromide of tri-bromethylamrnonium, the tetrabromide of 

 a tetrammonium ; and lastly, the bromide of tetrabromethylammo- 

 nium, the pentabromide of a pentammonium. 



[(C 2 H 4 Br) 2 H 2 N]Br+2H 3 N = [(C 2 H 4 ) 2 "H 8 NJ" Br 3 

 [(C 2 H 4 Br) 3 H N]Br+3H 8 N = [(C,HJ 8 "H 10 NJ'" Br 4 

 [(C, H 4 Br) 4 N] Br +4H 3 N = [(C f H 4 ) 4 " H 12 N J'"" Br 5 . 



As yet the bromination of the alcohol-bases presents some diffi- 

 culty ; appropriately selected reactions, however, will doubtless fur- 

 nish the several brominated bases. They may probably be obtained 

 by indirect processes, similar to those by which years ago I succeeded 

 in preparing the chlorinated and brominated derivatives of phenyl- 

 amine ; or these bodies may be generated by the action of penta- 

 chloride or pentabromide of phosphorus upon the oxethylated bases, 

 a process, which, to judge from the few experiments recorded in one 

 of the preceding sketches, promises a rich harvest of results. 



I have but a faint hope that I may be able to trace these new 

 paths in the numerous directions which open in a variety at once 

 tempting and perplexing. Inexorable experiment follows but slowly 

 the flight of light-winged theory. The commencement is never- 

 theless made, and even now the triammonium- and tetrammonium- 

 compounds begin to unfold themselves in unexpected variety. One 

 of the most remarkable compounds belonging to the triammonium- 

 group is diethylene triamine, 



This base, the first triacid triammonia, forms splendid salts of the 

 formula 



[(C 2 H 4 )'' 2 H 8 N 3 ]'C1 3) 



which will be the subject of a special communication. 



