818 METHYL. 



decomposed by caustic alkalies, but is not sensibly affected by 

 alkaline carbonates, nor by ammonia. When boiled with 

 caustic potash, it disappears in a few seconds, a considerable 

 quantity of alcohol distils over, and the liquor contains a com- 

 pound of cenanthic acid and potash, which is very soluble in 

 water. 



(Enanthic add, KO, C 14 H 13 O 2 . When separated from its 

 alkaline combinations, well washed with hot water and dried, 

 this acid, at 55.7> is of the consistence of butter and perfectly 

 white, but at a higher temperature it melts and forms a colour- 

 less oil, without taste or odour, which reddens litmus, dissolves 

 easily in caustic alkalies and in alkaline carbonates. It dissolves 

 easily in alcohol and ether. This acid, like all the fatty acids, 

 forms two series of salts, one acid in composition, without, 

 however, manifesting a sensible acid re-action, the other neutral 

 in composition, which exhibits a well-marked alkaline re- 

 action. 



Hydrated oenanthic acid submitted to distillation abandons 

 its water, and becomes anhydrous, C 14 H 13 O 2 , water and a little 

 of the hydrated acid distilling over. The boiling point of the 

 anhydrous acid is more elevated than that of the hydrated acid, 

 as also is the point of fusion of the former; fused anhydrous 

 cenarithic acid becoming solid about 87.8 (31 centig.) 



CEnanthic ether may be reproduced by means of the isolated 

 cenanthic acid. When 5 parts of sulphovinate of potash are 

 heated with 1 part of hydrated cenanthic acid, the mixture 

 fuses ; and if it is heated to 302 (150 centig.), an oily liquid is 

 seen to form on its surface, which is a mixture of cenanthic 

 ether and cenanthic acid still free. If this oily layer be sepa- 

 rated and heated with a solution of carbonate of soda, the free 

 acid is dissolved and the ether remains in a state of purity. 



CHAPTER III. 



PRODUCTS OF THE DRY DISTILLATION OF WOOD. 



The principal products of the destructive distillation of wood 

 at a red heat, are the charcoal which remains in the retort, 



