1862.] 123 



Lastly, in these experiments the significant fact appeared, that while 

 the weight, strength, and general condition of the animals varied very 

 widely under the different diets to which they were subjected, no con- 

 siderable fluctuation was observed in their temperature. Even the 

 slight variation from time to time recorded seemed rather to result 

 from other causes than to depend directly on the food. 



IV. " On a New Series of Compounds containing Boron." By 

 Dr. EDWARD FRANKLAND, F.R.S. Received May 15, 1862. 

 (Abstract.) 



This paper contains the full details of the author's researches on 

 boric ethide a body partially described by Mr. B. F. Duppa and 

 the author in the f Proceedings of the Royal Society,' vol. x. p. 568, 

 and also their extension to the homologous compound containing 

 methyl. 



Boric ethide combines with ammonia with great energy ; if a few 

 drops of boric ethide be passed up into a dry eudiometer filled with 

 mercury, and dry ammoniacal gas be then admitted into the same 

 tube, each bubble of gas collapses with a shock like that produced 

 by a bubble of steam projected into cold water. The analysis of the 

 body thus formed leads to the formula 



NH a + B(C 4 H 5 ) 3 . 



Ammonia boric ethide is a somewhat oily liquid possessing an aro- 

 matic odour and an alkaline reaction. It cannot be distilled, except 

 in vacuo, without decomposition. Carbonic acid has no action upon 

 it, even in the presence of water, but other acids decompose it in- 

 stantly and liberate boric ethide. Exposed to atmospheric air, am- 

 monia boric ethide scarcely absorbs a perceptible amount of oxygen, 

 even after the lapse of several hours. 



The author considers boric ethide to be formed from boracic ether 

 and zincethyl by the substitution of the ethyl in zincethyl for the 

 oxygen in boracic acid, 



TT 



** 



Boracic ether. Zincethyl. Boric ethide. Ethylate of zinc. 



