AND SCHONBEIN 63 



well worth careful attention. When a mixture of 

 ether vapour with atmospheric air is partially burnt 

 by means of a moderately heated platinum wire, 

 a substance is formed which has the following 

 properties : * 



1. It decolorizes indigo solution. 



2. It decomposes potassium iodide and hydrogen 



iodide, setting iodine free, thus turning paper 

 moistened with starch and potassium iodide 

 blue. 



3. It decomposes potassium bromide, though not 



very readily. 



4. It converts potassium ferrocyanide into the red 



prussiate of potash. 



5. It immediately imparts a deep colour to white 



ferrous cyanide. 



6. It changes ferrous into ferric salts. 



7. In the presence of water it oxidizes iodine to 



iodic acid. 



8. In presence of water it changes sulphurous into 



sulphuric acid. 



9. It readily decolorizes sulphide of lead and other 



metallic sulphides, apparently converting 

 them into sulphates. 



10. It renders an aqueous solution of sulphuretted 



hydrogen unable to precipitate lead salts. 



11. A concentrated solution of the substance, 



possessing all the aforementioned properties, 



