406 Correspondence of J. Nickles. 
Arr, XLIV.—Correspondence of M. J. Nicklés, dated Aug. 20, 1853. 
Reproduction of Cotton from Pyroxyline—The following ge 
tion on the restoration of cotton from pyroxyline, was ma y M. 
Béchamp, Professor a - School of Pharmacy at eee The 
process consists in heating pyroxyline, at the temperature of boiling 
water, with a siesaitd “solution of protochlorid of iron. The chlo- 
rid deepens in color and very soon there is kw of pure 
nitric oxyd. hen this disengagement Se cease e process is’ 
ended, after washing the cotton ‘with patey acid - remove the 
peroxyd of iron impregnating the cotton fibr 
y a similar method, M. Béchamp has peer in reproducing 
amidon from xyloidine, gum from nitric gum; and he has thus found a 
process which may be applied — doubt to many substances con- 
taining nitrogen in the state o 
Phenomena of Contact.—M. NS of whom we have spoken in 
our former contributions, and who has been engaged in some researches 
on forced dilatation, has undertaken the study of several points that 
have been much controverted. He has employed in his researches 
pressure aided bya high temperature. His apparatus and the observa- 
he has made, may be useful in practical eeety: and we pro- 
pose to resi to the subject in our poor communicatio 
The following are some of his 
1. Absolute alcohol heated in a caloded sania! towards 360° C., along 
with aeiag sii chlorid of calcium, produces ether and ofefant gas. 
Ci Sr acts in the same way. Cl Ba and Cl Na he has under trial. 
The chlorids hence act by contact, and not by removing the water 
of the cube 5 since they are used in the state of a crystallized ee 
2. s 400°, CIH NHs decompose alcohol, producing ether, @ 
little Prato gas, and chlorohydrate of ethylammine, * 
At 360° IH, AzNe acts in the same way: towards 400°, it de- 
composes ether into water bind iodohydrate of ethylammine. 
. At 360°, wood-spirit, with crystallized Cl Ca gives methylic ether ; 
with ClH N Hs at 300°, it affords methylic ether and chlorohydrate of 
methylammi 
5. Sugar Meiiod to 100° C. with a little water is altered after some 
hours only in an insensible manner. With Cl Ca it changes to glucose. 
Cl Na does not act. CIH NHs produces répidly, this transformation. 
Essence of turpentine in contact with acids at 100° C. is modified 
isomerically. Its rotatory power changes. This change takes place 
even when the acid is insoluble in this liquid, and enters into no 
bination. The —— of lemon with the acids at 100° C. undergoes 
a age alteratio 
arthy shlorids and CIH NHs, towards 240° 3 ‘act in an analo- 
gous manner on the essence of turpentine, 
7. Fluorid of boron acts at the ordinary temperature. 1 part of 
gas (two vols.) transforms completely 160 parts of the turpentine with- 
out decomposition or evolution of gas. These changes are alt 
with a slight disengagement of heat. 
