1823.] On Hydrate of Chlorine. 83 



but I have endeavoured since to do so by means of cooling 

 mixtures. The hydrate in thin plates was put into solutions 

 of muriate of lime of different densities, but of the temperature 

 of 32 Fahr. It seemed to remain in any part of a solution of 

 specific gravity 1*2, but there was constantly a slight liberation 

 of gas ; and as minute and imperceptible bubbles may have 

 adhered to the hydrate, the result can only be considered as 

 a loose approximation. The solid crystals would probably be 

 heavier than 1*2. 



The hydrate of chlorine acts upon substances, as might be 

 expected, from the action of chlorine upon the same substances, 

 and it may perhaps now and then offer a convenient form for 

 its application in experiment. When put into alcohol, an 

 elevation of temperature amounting to 8 or 10 took place. 

 There was rapid action, much ether, and muriatic acid formed, 

 and a small portion of a triple compound of chlorine, carbon 

 and hydrogen. 



When put into solutions of ammoniacal salts it liberated 

 nitrogen gas, formed muriatic acid, and also chloride of nitro- 

 gen, which remained undissolved at the bottom of the solution. 



In aqueous solution of ammonia similar effects were pro- 

 duced, but less chloride of nitrogen was formed. 



In order to arrive at a knowledge of the composition of this 

 substance, I adopted the following process : The crystals were 

 collected together by a small quantity of solution of chlorine, 

 then filtered and pressed between successive portions of bibu- 

 lous paper at a temperature of 32 (care being taken to ex- 

 pose them as little as possible to the air), until as dry as 

 they could be rendered by this means. A glass flask with a 

 narrow neck, arid containing a portion of water at 32, having 

 been previously counterpoised, a portion of the crystals were 

 immediately after the last pressing introduced into it ; they 

 sank to the bottom of the water, and the flask being again 

 weighed, the quantity of crystals introduced was ascertained. 

 A weak solution of pure ammonia was then poured into the 

 water in the flask, care being taken to add considerable excess 

 over that required by the chlorine beneath. The whole was 

 left for twenty-four hours, in which time the chlorine had had 

 sufficient opportunity to act on the ammonia, and any portion 

 of chloride of nitrogen that might at first have been formed 

 would be resolved into its elements, and its chlorine be con- 



