and some of its Products of Decomposition. 331 



Glycocoll was dissolved in quinqui-sulphid of potassium, spirits 

 of wine added, and the solution evaporated through several 

 weeks, over sulphuric acid, to dryness. 



An efflorescence had crept up the sides of the containing ves- 

 sel and the bottom was covered with crystals. Upon treating 

 the whole with hot water, sulphur was separated, which was fil- 

 tered off and the filtrate slowly evaporated to syrup consistence, 

 from which the whole became a solid crystalline mass. 



To a solution of the crystals, addition of sulphuric acid caused 

 the evolution of sulphurous acid and the separation of sulphur. 

 Here was the usual product of exposing the quinqui-sulphid of 

 potassium to the air — hyposulphite of potash. 



Upon adding bi-chlorid of platinum to a second portion, a pre- 

 cipitate of platin-chlorid of potassium followed, without the evo- 

 lution of sulphurous acid or separation of sulphur. There was 

 then left in the solution— 



which equals, 



C 4 H 4 N0 3 , HO, S 2 2 , 

 C 4 H 7 NO fl S 2 -H 2 . 



Constitution of Glycocoll. 



The enquiry presses itself, where in the general subdivisions 

 of chemistry does glycocoll belong ? Is it a base ? Is it an acid ? 

 °r is it a salt ? 



The combinations into which it is capable of entering seem 

 only to embarrass reply. 



The following table of the principal compounds of glycocoll 

 that have been analyzed, and the adjoining table of correspond- 

 ln g compounds, chiefly from inorganic chemistry, will not be 

 without interest in the determination of this question. 



.4s an Acid. 



C 4 H 4 N0 3 , CuO (Aq) I S0 33 CuO 

 C H NO I PbO « S0 33 PbO 

 C 4 H 4 N0 3 , AqO " I S0 3 , AgO 



As a Base. 



a. 



C 4 H 4 N0 3 , SO, 

 C 4 H 4 N0 3) NO s 



AgO, SO, 

 AgO, NO s 



b. 



C 4 H 4 N0 3 , S0 3 , HO 

 C 4 H 4 N0 3 , HC1, HO 



4 H 4 N0 3 , O, HO 



ZnO, SO,, HO 

 BaO, HC1, HO 



KO, O, HO 



