534 [April 23, 



rose rapidly to 186, and that the entire liquid, previously dissolved 

 in the ether, distilled over between that temperature and 197 Cent. 

 This was no douht oxalate of propyle. On heating this body in a 

 retort with solid caustic potash, I obtained a volatile distillate. This 

 I then dried over chloride of calcium, and in order to secure its 

 complete dehydration, treated it with a small piece of sodium. On 

 re-distilling, I found that the entire liquid passed over between 83 

 and 88 Cent. The portion distilling between 85 and 88 gave on 

 analysis results corresponding with the formula of propylic alcohol, 

 as will be seen on inspecting the following table : 



By treating this body with iodine and phosphorus, I succeeded in 

 regenerating iodide of propyle. This is a very ready method of 

 preparing propylic alcohol when a large quantity is not required. 



III. " On the Distillation of Mixtures : a Contribution to the 

 Theory of Fractional Distillation ." By J. A. WANKLYN, 

 Esq. Communicated by Dr. FRANKLAND. Received 

 April 17, 1863. 



There are many points in the boiling of mixtures which are ob- 

 scure. The tension of the vapours at the temperature whereat the 

 mixture boils, and the proportions in which the constituents of the 

 mixture are present, are not the only factors which determine the 

 relative rates at which the constituents distil. There have, for in- 

 stance, to be taken into account the adhesion of the liquids to one 

 another, and the vapour-densities of these liquids. On the present 

 occasion I have to call attention to the influence of this latter ele- 

 ment, which influence seems to have been lost sight of by most of 

 those who have applied themselves to this subject. 



Leaving out of account for a moment the influence of adhesion, 

 and simplifying the influence of the proportion in which the ingre- 

 dients are present by taking equal weights of two liquids of different 



