Chemistry and Physics. — 413 
The combinations of tannic acid with sulphuric and chlorhydric acids 
mentioned by Berzelius are in reality mechanical mixtures and are no 
constant in composition. The splitting of tannic acid into gallic acid and 
oor discovered two years since by Strecker, may be represented 
y the equation Cs4H220s4-++-8HO = 3(C14H6Oi0)+Ci2H 10010. 
Callie acid, according to Strecker, is also a tribasic acid and is repre- 
sented by the formula C14Hs07-+3HO. 
_ Decomposition of brucine by nitric acid.—The action of nitric acid 
upon brucine has been studied by Laurent, Gerhardt, Liebig and Rosen- 
garten, but the products of this action have never been satisfactorily 
ascertairied. Strecker finds that these products are cacotheline, nitrite 
of methyl, oxalic acid and water. The reaction is ropressbie? by the 
equation 
C16H26N208+5N05.HO=C1pHooN 4018+C2H30, NOs-+2020s, HO+4HO. 
The constitution of cacotheline was determined by means _ its plati- 
num salt; Laurent assigned to it the formula Ca2H22N102 
btpateyanalai: —When a mixture of aldehyd- isnot heirs 
acid and an excess of muriatic acid are allowed to stand for some days 
Without heat no alanin is formed, but coforless crystals of a new body 
which Strecker terms cyanaldin, are deposited. It is neutral, insipid, 
insoluble in water, alcohol and ether; it fuses ‘and sublimes at a mod- 
erate heat; potash decomposes it with evolution of ammonia. The 
formula of ‘this ses is CoHeNe2 or CisHi2N4; it does not appear to 
possess basic prop 
Production of aati ic acid in fermentation.—In eign cae 
acid by the fermentation of sugar by Bensch’s process, Strecker ob- 
in summer in a place where the temperature did not exceed 29° C., the 
water being renewed from time to time. The volatile acids formed 
being isolated proved to be propionic and acetic acids, both in very 
ge nti 
3. On some combinations of hydrargyro-methyl and nidvinagialat 
—The researches of Frankland on the compounds of methyl! and amyl 
with mereury are well known. Strecker has ‘sueceeded—and without 
After time, crystals are formed which increase till the whole 
liquid becomes solid. The crystals are readily itera: from 
boiling ether or alcohol, and separate in thin, colorless brilliant 
ture : they aré insoluble in water but soluble without decom mposition in 
ammonia and solution of caustic potash. The formula of these crys- 
tals is CaHs.Hg2I. The nitrate crystallizes in colorless prisms and 
is represented by the formula CsHsO,NOs. The chlorid corresponds 
to the iodid. ‘These compounds are all decomposed by light, which is 
the reason why Frankland could not obtain them 
 Consti nine.—STRECKER has at length established the 
constitution of this important base, and finds it to be represented by 
