T. S. Hunt on the Relations of Water and Hydrogen. 197 
hydrogen, the result of a complete substitution, and are (C2H:3)s 
ete., like benzile C2:H120.4, which is Bzz, while bitter-almond 
oil is Bz H. ; 
In the Journal for January, 1850 (vol. ix, p. 65), this is again 
referred to, and we remark that as water is to be regarded as the 
homologue of the alcohols, it follows from the principles already 
laid down “that the ethers are homologous with their parent 
acids,” a point which was illustrated by the action of the cyanic 
ethers with ammonia; while the volatile bases of Wurtz “sus- 
tain to their corresponding alcohols, the same relation that ammo- 
nia does to water.” In volume xiii, p. 2U6, we repeat, ‘ water is 
hot only the analogue, but the strict homologue of the alcohols, 
so that the molecule He is the equivalent (homologue) of CsHe 
aud its homologues, and H of ethyl and methy!; (the hypothet- 
ical radicals, )” 
The question whether these homologues of hydrogen Hz are 
to be regarded as the radicals of the alcohols and ethers, has been ~ 
discussed by Gerhardt, Hofmann, and others, but resolves itself 
into this; Frankland’s ethyl is to EtCl what Zua is to ZnCl, 
and He toH Cl; the metals, hydrogen and chlorine always pre- 
seit a dualism in their reactions, as marked as ethyl, kakodyl and 
- cyanogen, 
Williamson (Philos. Mag., Nov., 1850,) has made a beautiful 
application of Laurent’s theory of the alcohols; by the action of 
potassic alcohol (Et K)O2 upon hydriodic ether, iit I, he obtained 
I, and Et2Q:2, and by a similar process mixed ethers, such as 
(Et Me)Oz, eat the same time explained the theory of the 
ordinary ether process, as the reaction between sulphovinie acid, 
S2(EtH)Os, and (Et H)Oz, giving S:H2Os, and Et2O2. Mean- 
while Chancel, following out the same idea, aunounced almost 
simultaneously with Williamson, the production of hydric ether 
y the distillation of sulphovinate of potash with potassic alco- 
ol; by the reaction of oxalovinate with sulphomethylate of pot- 
ash, he also obtained a mixed oxalic ether C4(Et Me)Os, oxalic 
acid being CaH: Oc 
4H+0;, was represented by (C1H»O2, H)Oz, and the anhydrid 
Would be (CsHsOz)202=CsH.Oo, corresponding to four vol- 
