816 AMYL. 



neutralised by a slight excess of sulphuric acid, and distilled to 

 separate the valeric acid. At the same time, a portion of hy- 

 drate of oxide of amyl comes over, accompanied by a liquid 

 having the composition of a valeric aldehyde. 



Obtained from pure valerate of soda, mixed with a slight 

 excess of phosphoric acid, valeric acid is a colourless oil, lighter 

 than water, and possessed of a persistent and characteristic 

 odour which recals that of the root of valerian, with a sharp 

 and acid taste. The protohydrate produces a white spot on the 

 tongue; its density is 0.937 at 61.7 (16.5 centig.) ; it boils 

 without change at about 347 (175 centig.) ; it remains liquid at 

 5. It inflames easily, and burns with a white and smoky 

 flame. The density of the vapour of this hydrate is 3660 by 

 experiment, 3550 by theory; its combining measure 4 volumes, 

 in which respect it differs from acetic acid. Valeric acid, 

 agrees, however, with that acid in forming a terhydrate, the 

 condition in which valeric acid is always obtained Vheri separated 

 from its salts dissolved in water. Placed in contact with water, 

 valeric acid dissolves a certain quantity of it ; the water on its 

 part dissolves the acid considerably. 



Valerates. These salts are in general soluble in water. The 

 valerates of potash and barytes are not crystallizable. The 

 valerate of silver is a heavy crystalline powder, of sparing solu- 

 bility, which might be confounded, from its appearance, with 

 the fulminate of the same metal. 



MM. Dumas and Stass formed two acids by the action of 



TT 



chlorine upon valeric acid, chlorovalerisic acid, C 10 6 O 3 -f-HO, 



3 



in which 3 atoms of hydrogen are replaced by 3 atoms of 



TT 



chlorine, and chlorovalerosic acid, C 10 ^ O 3 + HO, in which 4 



atoms of hydrogen are replaced by 4 atoms of chlorine. (An. 

 de Chim. Ixxiii, 136.) 



Amilene, Cj H 10 ; a liquid hydrocarbon, obtained by distilling 

 hydrate of oxide of amyl repeatedly with anhydrous phosphoric 

 acid. It is colourless, possesses a peculiar aromatic odour, is 

 lighter than water, and contains no oxygen. It boils at 320 

 the density of its vapour is 5061 by experiment, and 4 r ' 

 calculation, its combining measure 2 volumes. 



