38 O/i two new Compounds [1820. 



has scarcely any taste. Its odour is aromatic, and approaching 

 to that of camphor, Its specific gravity is as nearly as pos- 

 sible 2. Its refractive power is high, being above that of flint- 

 glass (1*5767). It is very friable, easily breaking down under 

 pressure ; and when scratched has much of the feel and ap- 

 pearance of white sugar. It does not conduct electricity. 



The crystals obtained by sublimation and from solutions of 

 the substance in alcohol and aether, are dendritical, prismatic, 

 or in plates ; the varieties of form, which are very interesting, 

 are easily ascertained, and result from a primitive octahedron. 

 It volatilizes slowly at common temperatures, and passes, in 

 the manner of camphor, towards the light. If warmed, it rises 

 more rapidly, and then forms fine crystals : when the tempera- 

 ture is further raised, it fuses at 320 Fahr. and boils at 360 

 under atmospheric pressure. When condensed again from 

 these rapid sublimations, it concretes in the upper part of the 

 tube or vessel containing it, in so transparent and colourless a 

 state, that it is difficult, except from its high refractive power, to 

 perceive where it is lodged. As the crust it forms becomes 

 thicker, it splits, and cracks like sublimed camphor ; and in a 

 few minutes after it is cold, is white, and nearly opake. If 

 the heat be raised still higher, as when the substance is passed 

 through a red-hot tube, it is decomposed, chlorine is evolved, 

 and another chloride of carbon, which condenses into a fluid, is 

 obtained. This shall be described presently. 



It is not readily combustible ; when held in the flame of a 

 spirit-lamp, it burns with a red flame, emitting much smoke 

 and acid fumes ; but when removed from the lamp, combustion 

 ceases. In the combustion that does take place in the lamp, 

 the hydrogen of the alcohol, by combining with the chlorine of 

 the compound, performs the most important part ; nevertheless, 

 when the substance is heated red in an atmosphere of pure 

 oxygen, it sometimes burns with a brilliant light. 



It is not soluble in water at common temperatures, or only 

 in very small quantity. When a drop or two of the alcoholic 

 solution is poured into a large quantity of water, it renders it 

 turbid from the deposition of the substance. It does not appear 

 that hot water dissolves more of it than cold water. 



It dissolves in alcohol with facility, and in much greater quan- 

 tity with heat than, without;. A saturated hot solution crystal- 



