420 Scientific Intelligence. 
mainder added to it and distilled.- If butyric and valerianic acids only 
are present, a portion of one or the other is at once obtained pure. If 
the alkali added is not sufficient to neutralize the whole of the valeri- 
anic acid, the distillate is a mixture, and the residue is a pure valeria- 
nate. Ifthe alkali is more than sufficient to neutralize the valerianic 
acid, the residue is a mixture of yalerianic and butyrate, but the distillate 
is pure butyric acid. : 
The mixtures remaining may be treated in the same way, and a new 
portion obtained pure. 
Acetic acid, although more volatile than the other two, is not expelled 
by them from a partially saturated solution, owing to the formation of 
an acid acetate. Either valerianic or butyric acid may be distilled from 
this salt without intermixture with acetic acid. Where all these acids 
are present, the partially saturated mixture is to be distilled, and if any 
acetic acid is found in the distillate the process is to be repeated. Ac 
tic acid is thus removed and the other two may be separated as above. 
8. On the Production of Organic bases from Vegetable substances 
containing Nitrogen; by Dr. J. Stennovse, (Liebig’s Ann., May, 1849 ; 
Chem. Gaz., Oct. and Nov., 1849.)—Reasoning upon the fact that fossil 
to contain most of the nitrogen of plants. A large quantity of common 
beans was distilled in an iron retort. The product resembled that from 
animal matters, containing acetone, acetic acid, &c., with tarry matter 
and a large quantity of ammonia and oily bases. These latter were, 
with some difficulty, obtained in a state of purity, but the result was an 
evident mixture, the boiling point rising from 226° F. to 428°. The 
larger portion passing over between 302° and 311”, a tolerable quantity 
of an oil of constant boiling point was obtained. 
Notwithstanding the difference in the bases indicated above—their 
readily in alcohol and ether. The alkaline reaction upon test paper is 
very strong, and a rod moistened with hydrochloric acid held over them 
roduces white fumes. The salts are generally crystalline ; the double 
platinum, gold and mercury chlorids are readily obtained ; not a trace 
of aniline could be detected. 
The analysis of the oil boiling between 302° and 311°, gave the for- 
mula C,, H, N, but this must be considered only as an approximation. 
The formula is nearest to that of nicotine ; but the properties are rather 
An examination of oils boiling at very different temperatures, gave 
almost the same per-centage of carbon and hydrogen. May not som« 
of these be merely polymeric modifications of the less volatile bases? 
Oil cake required a higher heat for its distillation than the bean, 
and a smaller quantity of bases was obtained; wheat furnished a still 
smaller quantity, but the product was more volatile. Peat gave a larger 
