234 J. L. Smith on determining the Alkalies in Minerals. 
CsH6O2, Ci oHi2Os2, and CicH: eO2, have very nearly the 
same specific gravity, so that the condensation is inversely as 
their vapor-equivalents. The densities of wine-alcohol, acetic 
acid and aldehyd in the liquid state, vary as their equivalents, so 
that the calculated volumes are 57:5, 55°5 and 55. . Formic and 
valeric acids show a similar relation in density to their respective 
alcohols, their calculated volumes being to these as 37°3:3 , and 
108: 106-7. If to these we add butyric acid, which gives a vol- 
ume of 90, and the density of whose alcohol has not yet been de- 
termined, the liquid volumes for the four acids C2H20Os, C,H:0s, 
CeH:O: and Ci0H1¢O., are 37-3, 55°5, 90, and 108» These 
numbers approximate to multiples of the liquid volume of water 
H:O2, which is 18; or taking this as unity, are very nearly as 
2,3, 5 and 6. The interval between 3 and 5 corresponds to pro 
pionie acid Cs6H «Os, of whose specific gravity I find no recorded 
observati The density of many of these liquids 1s not accu 
rately known, and the results of different experimenters are not 
precisely accordant. The specific gravity at their boiling points 
should probably be chosen for the purpose of comparison, ® 
these approximations lead us to expect that future observations 
will establish a simple relation between the densities of liquids 
and their vapors. 
In a succeeding paper, it is proposed to apply the principles 
explained in the present essay, in an examination of the equiva 
lents of a number of minerals and other crystallized species. 
Montreal, C. E., Dec. 12, 1852. 
Arr. XXVIL—New and ready method of determining the At 
kalies in Minerals: Part lst—~The Quantitative Determine 
tion of the Alkalies in the siliceous minerals not soluble 
Acids: with a note on a new method of forming the Prony 
of Nitrogen; by J. Lawrence Smiru, M.D., Professor © 
Chemistry in the University of Virginia. 
in 
1. In the examination for alkalies in the class of minerals alln- 
me 
refer- 
the alkalies, to arrive at the other substances as well as the @ “a 
lies, will in many instances embarrass the anal yst as to his rest 
