A aitaistihap 8? 409 
dation of salicine, the bitter principle of the willow, we obtain a peculiar 
_ oil which is identical with the fragrant essence of the Spirea ulmaria. 
The oxydation of this oil has afforded usa new acid, the salicylic, which 
_ Wvery like benzoic acid in its properties, and may even be formed 
om from it. In the decomposition of ligneous fibre by heat, a peculiar yol- 
__ atile liquid is generated, closely allied to alcohol in its relations, and 
containing, like that, the oxyd of a compound radical, which was named 
Methyle, to denote its nature and origin. Both of these compounds were 
however regarded as merely results of the decomposition of native pro- 
ducts. The late researches of Cahours and Gerhardt on the fragrant oil 
of wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens, have shown us that it is a com- 
pound of this methylic oxyd, with salicylic acid. Thus we are able 
bya simple recomposition, to form the oil of wintergreen in any quan- 
st lity. This is only one example of the beautiful results which have 
; been unexpectedly developed in this department of science. These 
discoveries we may observe, have been principally the results of acci- 
dent 3 the object of the investigator having been to decompose substan- 
_. €es by various agents, and study the results of. this decomposition. 
A more difficult, but more fruitful field of investigation, seems to 
the application of the knowledge that we have derived from these ex- 
periments, to the artificial formation of certain determinate products. 
Already we have a large class of artificial alkaloids, and although 
itis not yet certain that we have formed one of those bodies which 
_ €xists in nature, we have produced compounds closely allied to the 
_ ‘Ratural ones in their properties. In anilene, which we are now able to 
: form by a number of reactions from different bodies, we have an alka- 
loid, which closely resembles both in its chemical relations and in its 
effects on the animal economy, the alkaline principles of tobacco and 
Conium maculatum. It is worthy of remark also, that the composition 
of these bodies differs only in the proportions of carbon and hydrogen. 
We form anilene by a peculiar action, from benzole, a carbo-hydrogen, 
derived from benzoic acid; and if among the great number of com- 
Pounds of these two elements which result from the decomposition of 
Various organic substances, we can find the hydro-carbon which bears 
ao the Same relations to nicotine that benzole does to aniline, we can at 
Once form from that compound, the alkaloid. In the present state of 
4 chemical science, this seems by no means improbable, and we may yet 
- beable to form morphine and quinine to such an extent as will render 
US quite independent of the present sources of these important remedies. 
~~ &. On the relations of Oil of Mustard ; (Chem. Gazette, No. 61, p. 178, 
and No. 75, Pp. 495.)—The late researches of MM. Wertheim, Gerhardt 
and Will, have shown that the oil of mustard is the sulpho-cyanid of a 
‘Rew radical, which is capable of forming combinations with sulphur, 
Scop Sznrzs, Vol. II, No.6—Nov., 1846. 53 
