and some of its Products of Decomposition. 327 



This result supported the view that glycocoll contained not 

 only the elements of fumaric acid and ammonia, but contained 

 them in such form or arrangement, as would yield to an active 

 affinity aided by heat. 



It was highly probable, therefore, that galvanic action alone 

 would be adequate to the task of decomposition. 



To submit this query to the test of experiment, a solution of 

 glycocoll was exposed to the action of a galvanic battery, con- 

 sisting of four of Bunsen's pairs. The solution was separated 

 by a membrane from the water. Upon closing the circle and 

 plunging the poles terminated with platinum plate, one into the 

 solution of glycocoll and the other into the water without, an 

 instantaneous evolution of gas bubbles, at each pole succeded. 

 After the action had continued a short time the fluid about the 

 negative pole gave an alkaline reaction, while that about the 

 positive pole gave an acid reaction. There could then scarcely 

 a doubt remain, that glycocoll was a salt of which the base was 

 ammonia and the acid a body identical in constitution with fu- 

 maric acid. 



To obtain this acid, glycocoll was treated several hours, over 

 a moderate heat with sulphuric acid, in the manner above de- 



scribed — repeate 



The sulphuric 



acid for the most part was thrown down with oxyd of lead, and 

 the last traces accurately removed with solution of baryta. The 

 filtrate was then evaporated to concentration over sulphuric acid. 

 In a few hours rhombic prisms of unexampled beauty and per- 

 fection, of the combination, ocP, OP, crystallized from the 



solution. 



Their taste was exceedingly sour. In water they dissolved with 

 difficulty and in ether and alcohol they were absolutely insoluble. 

 With potash, ammonia was evolved from them. 



Combustion with chromate of lead, gave the following results. 



I. 01922 grm. of sub. gave 0-1048 carb. acid and 0-1008 water. 

 H. 0-2350 " " " 0-5700 platin-salammoniac. 



°i in per cent. : L "• ^ 



Carbon, I486 • • 



Hydrogen, 5-82 • • 



Nitrogen, • • io *° „ „ 



With these results it was found impossible to construct any 



formula, containing only the elements of glycocoll, that could 



have been derived from the action of sulphuric acid. I tie nrst 



^tion of the acid would be the abstraction of ammonia. 



C 4 H3N0 4 -NH 3 =C 4 H,0 4 . 



If in excess it was conceivable that the remaining member 

 yould be subdivided, giving oxalic aci( 

 ical of Dumas' alcohol and ether series. 



and an 



C 4 H 2 4 -C a 3 +C a H 3 0. 



