48 REPORT—1862. 
ditions of the atmo&phere. By the catalytic action of pale on atmospheric 
air, a gaseous body (superoxide of hydrogen) is formed, which is analogous to, if 
not the same as, atmospheric ozone, and it can be detected by the same tests. The 
author has found, by his usual tests, that phosphoric ozone is developed only when 
the phosphorus is luminous, 
On Ferrous Acid. By W. Ovirne, M.B., F.R.S. 
The author found that when ferric oxide was ignited with the carbonates of 
potassium, sodium, and calcium, each atom of fe, Q, drove out one of COQ,, to form 
two atoms of an alkaline ferrite, having the general formula M fe O,, which salts 
were decomposed by water into caustic alkali and ferric monohydrate or brown 
hematite ; thus, M fe 0,+H, 0=H fe 0,4 MHO, 
On the Synthesis of some Hydrocarbons. By W. Ovutne, V.B., PRS. 
The author found, in particular, that when a mixture of carbonic oxide and marsh- 
gas was passed through a red-hot tube, acetylene was abundantly formed according 
to the equation CO+CH,=C,H,+H,0. 
On the Nomenclature of Organic Compounds. By W. Ovuine, M.B., FBS. 
Admitting the impossibility of establishing a thoroughly systematic nomencla- 
ture in organic chemistry, the author advocated a gradual improvement of that 
now in more or less general use, by removing its chief incongruities, and remedying 
its more striking inconveniences. He showed, by many examples, how great an 
improvement might be effected by an introduction of very few and trivial changes. 
On the Essential Oils and Resins from the Indigenous Vegetation of Victoria. 
By J. W. Ospornu. 
The indigenous trees and shrubs of the colony of Victoria belong for the most 
part to the genera Eucalyptus and Melaleuca, which grow in great luxuriance over 
the greater part of the Australian continent. In no other localities are oil-bearing 
plants to be found in the same abundance, especially such as attain to arborescent 
growth, nor is the yield of oil as great elsewhere. The thirty-five samples sub- 
mitted to the Section are identical with these exhibited in the Victorian Depart- 
ment of the International Exhibition. They were distilled by the Exhibitors, at 
the request and under the auspices of Dr. Ferdinand Miiller, the Government 
Botanist of Victoria, to whose great talents and untiring energy the colony is 
largely indebted. In the present case the rigorous accuracy of the specific name of 
each specimen may be accepted on his authority. 
The author, as Juror, examined the essential oils and resins with respect to their 
technological value, for the Victorian Commissioners. 
Those from the genera Eucalyptus and Melaleuca (nineteen different oils) resem- 
ble the Cajuput of India, Melaleuca leucadendron. In smell and taste they are 
generally more camphoraceous, partaking sometimes of the odour of oil of lemon. 
Their colour is for the most part a pale yellow, sometimes colourless, and occasion- 
ally green. Their specific gravity, in the samples submitted to the Section, varies 
from 0-881 to 0-940, the average being about 0-910. These oils have all two boil- 
ing-points, the lower being, generally speaking, about 325°, and the other about 40° 
higher. 
They burn well in suitable lamps, and are not dangerous, as they are ignited with 
difficulty. As solyents for resinous bodies, they surpass most liquids of the kind, 
and form varnishes, attacking with readiness the intractable Kauric gum of New 
Zealand. The yield from individuals of the series is sometimes exceedingly large, 
E. amygdalina giving by distillation of 100 lbs. of its green leaves and branchlets, 
three pints of oil; £. oleosa, 20 ounces; L. sideroxylon, 16 ounces; MM. linarifolia, 
28 ounces, &c. It is estimated that 12,000,000 acres of the colony of Victoria are 
covered with myrtaceous vegetation of this description, some of it of a shrubby 
character, densely covering vast tracts (L. oleosa, F. M.; £. dumosa, Cunn.; 2, 
