FORMATION OF A VEGETO-ALKAU. 257 



obtained by putting pure bitter almond oil into solution of ammonia. It is slowly 

 decomposed by boiling water, and even by boiling alcohol, into free ammonia and 

 volatile oil, and very slowly suffers the same kind of decomposition by moisture at 

 the common temperature of the air. When heated, it melts, inflames, and burns 

 with a smoky light, leaving a small deposit of charcoal. Acids decompose it imme- 

 diately ; a salt of ammonia is produced, and the original oil set free. 



The action of alkalies on this substance is very remarkable, and well deservei 

 attention. When boiled with a large quantity of dilute solution of caustic potash, it 

 dissolves without the least evolution of ammonia, and the liquid deposits, on cooling, 

 small, white, silky needles of a second new substance, having the same composition 

 as the amide itself, but all the properties of a stable and exceedingly energetic organic 

 base, possessing alkalinity, and having the power of forming with acids an extensive 

 series of well-defined, and for the most part, crystallizable salts of great beauty. 



Portions of the new salt-base, prepared at different operations with the greatest 

 care, were submitted to ultimate analysis by burning with oxide of copper as before, 

 the substance being dried in vacuo over a surface of oil of vitriol ; the following 

 results were obtained : — 



(1.) (2.) (3.)* 



Substance employed . . 2-668 grs. 3-985 grs. 3-698 grs. 



Carbonic acid produ(;ed . 6*53 grs. 9-74 grs. 9*06 grs. 



Water produced . . . 1*12 grs. 1-63 grs. . 1-51 grs. 



Hence, in 100 parts, — 



(1.) (2.) (3.) 



Carbon. . . . 66-75 66-66 66-82 



Hydrogen . . 4*66 4-54 4-53 



Estimation of nitrogen : — 



(1.) (2.) 



Substance employed. . 3-79 grs. 3-75 grs. 



Platinum salt produced 6-12 grs. 6-11 grs. 



Per-centage of nitrogen lO'lS 10*28 



The isomerism of the two substances is seen to be most complete; the numbers 

 obtained by analysis absolutely coincide : and yet how discrepant their properties! 



I am inclined to think that the nature of the isomeric change which the amide 

 undergoes in presence of the alkali consists simply in a duplication of its elements ; 

 at least, this is the simplest view that can be taken. It is besides the only product. It 

 will be seen from analyses of the salts formed by this substance, that the proportion 

 of matter required to form a perfectly neutral compound with an acid, organic or 

 inorganic, is expressed by the formula C30 H12 Ng Og, which is the double of the amide 

 C15H6NO3 But then, as the constitution of this latter substance must be to some 

 extent uncertain, since that of the oil is also unknown, and the amide forms no com- 

 binations, the above view must remain merely conjectural. 



* This specimen was prepared from the oxalate by precipitation by ammonia. 



