326 MESSES, E. PEANKLAND AND B. F. DUPPA'S 



The formula run fCEt^Ho 



CfiHwO.. or < 2 

 ^ '' ' ICOHo 



represents percentage amounts of carbon and hydrogen agreeing closely with those 

 calculated from the above results. 



Argentic diethoxalate was made by adding argentic oxide to a hot solution of the 

 acid. After filtration and evaporation in vacuo, it crystallizes in brilliant silky fibres 

 adhering closely to the capsule. These are anhydrous, and are scarcely discoloured by 

 prolonged exposure to a temperature of 100° C. They yielded on analysis numbers 

 closely corresponding with those calculated from the formula 



C6HnAg03 or 1^^ 



EtgHo 



Ago 



I. -3895 grm. gave -4258 grm. carbonic anhydride, '1702 grm. water, and -1740 grm. 



Found. 



29-82 



4-85 



44-67 



Although the diethoxalic acid obtained by the action of zincethyl upon methylic 

 oxalate possesses the same atomic weight and fusing-point as that prepared by the 

 action of zincethyl upon ethylic oxalate, yet the two acids do not appear to be iden- 

 tical. The silver-salt of the latter crystallizes, as above described (page 318), in bril- 

 liant needles radiating from centres standing freely up from the capsule, and containing 

 half a molecule of water, which is not expelled at 100° C. This salt also further differs 

 from that just described by being rapidly discoloured when exposed to the heat of a 

 steam-bath. In a future communication we hope to be able to throw additional light 

 upon this apparent isomerism. 



IV. Action of Zinc upon a Mixture of Ethylic Iodide, Methylic Iodide, and Ethylic 



Oxalate. 



Having proved in the foregoing reactions the possibility of replacing one atom of 

 oxygen in ethylic oxalate by two atoms of either methyl or ethyl, we thought it desirable 



