* 
Miscellanies. = 215 
communicate successively with a flask containing sulphuric acid, a 
globular vessel moistened with water, and a dry globe. The nitric 
acid is completely decomposed. The first flask contains pure sulphu- 
ricacid alone. Red vapors pass from the first vessel into the second ; 
this is filled with sulphurous acid also, for it is formed of solid white 
crystals, in the two last experiments, as in the first. In the latter, all 
the sulphuric acid of the second flask exists ina solid crystallized 
mass, of a greenish yellow color. The re-actions are, therefore, 
similar to those of the old process. In the new process, the nitric 
acid yields a portion of its oxygen to the sulphurous acid, in order to 
convert itinto sulphuric acid. Hyponitric acid is thus formed, which 
acts like the hyponitric acid in the old process, which is formed from 
the binoxide of azote and oxygen of the atmosphere ; that is to say, 
successively it yields oxygen togthe sulphurous acid, and borrows it 
from the air; but the discharge requires the intervention of sulphuric . 
acid and water. The water has two very distinct functions; it acts 
directly, by bringing into more intimate contact the sulphurous acid 
and hyponitric acid, and this favors the oxidation of the first by the 
oxygen of the second; it a decomposing the white crystals 
immediately, and changing em into sulphuric acid and oxide of 
azote.—London Atheneum, Aug. 1840. 
17. Oralic Ether with Chlorine.—Malaguti has succeeded, by means 
of the action of heat, (212°,) direct light, and chlorine, in converting | 
oxalic ether into a crystallized substance, in which all the hydrogen 
has been driven off and replaced by chlorine. Its formula is— 
C,0.,, C,CI,O. It is neutral and destitute of taste and smell. It 
melts at 338°, and congeals in rectangular plates. All fluids which 
have an affinity for chlorine decompose it, such as alcohol, simple and 
compound ethers, essential oils, &c. Among the products of the de- 
Composition is an oil corresponding to anhydrous oxalovinic acid, 
Containing chlorine instead of hydrogen. When ammonia is added 
to this oil, needleform crystals are produced, which are volatile, fusi- 
ble, neutral, represented by oxamethane, which only contains two 
atoms of the hydrogen of the amide, the rest being replaced by ehlo- 
tine—thence it is a compound of one atom of oxamide with one of 
chloretted oxalic ether.—TIbid. 
18. Elaterite, or Fossil Caoutchouc-—Pelouse has ascertained that 
this substance, which occurs in La Vendee, has the same composition 
as Indian Rubber, viz. C,H,. In this country itis accompanied by a 
Sort of gum resin, which is sometimes red, sometimes yellow, and 
even greenish; transparent, insoluble in water, and corresponds in its 
characters with amber.—London Atheneum, Aug. 1840. 
