58 REPORT—1863. 
In the normal or alpha-alcohol the first stage of oxidation is the production of 
the aldehyd, 
a€, H,,0+0=a0, H,, 0+H, O. 
The second stage, the production of the corresponding fatty acid, 
Caproic Acid, 
———_. 
aC, H,,0+0=C,H,, O,. 
It would seem that, while in the alpha or common series of alcohols the union of 
the carbon atoms with one another is quite regular, the reverse obtains in the beta 
series. 
On Fractional Distillation. : 
By J. Atrrep Wayxtyn, Professor of Chemistry in the London Institution. 
Fractional distillation is resorted to in order to separate the single liquids which 
are present in a mixed liquid. The phenomena which take place during the distil- 
lation of a mixture are of a very complex order, and the general conditions which 
concur to produce the result may be enumerated as follows :— 
1. Composition of the mixture, #. e., relative proportion of the individual liquids 
present. 
. 2. Tensions of the vapours of the individual liquids at the boiling-point of the 
mixture. 
3. Densities of the vapours. 
; 4. Latent heat of the individual vapours, and capacity of the individual liquids 
or heat. 
5. Diffusion-coefficients of the individual vapours. 
6. Rate of distillation. 
7. Adhesions between the liquids. 
Whenever a mixed liquid distils off so as to yield a vapour different in compo- 
sition from the initial liquid, it is obvious that separation is taking place; and if 
the yapour is continuously different in composition from the initial liquid, perfect 
separation is the inevitable result if the process be pushed far enough. 
he author considers each of the above-named general conditions first separately, 
and then in conjunction with the rest. The rate of distillation he believes to be of 
particular importance, for that determines whether the individual liquids shall distil 
off mainly according to the tension of their vapours, or mainly according to the 
diffusion-coefficients of their vapours. Finally, he expresses his belief that by a 
proper regulation of the distillatory process any mixture whatever may be com- 
pletely separated into its individuals. 
On Oxidation by Ozone. By Dr. T. Woon, F.C.S. 
Accepting the fact that oxygen is capable of existing in more than one form, 
he called attention to the difference between the action of ordinary oxygen and the 
kind of oxygen which is commonly known as ozone. The results of his experi- 
ments went to show that ozonized air is capable of supporting combustion more 
powerfully than common air. Ozone was also a most powerful disinfectant. It 
entirely remoyed the smell of ammonia and sulphuretted hydrogen from decom- 
posed blood, and recoagulated the fibrine after it had been dissolved by the ammonia 
generated during decomposition. At a temperature of 70° F. milk was most easily 
curdled in ten minutes by ozone ; albumen and fibrine are not decomposed by ozone. 
Quills soaked in dilute acetic acid form excellent joints for apparatus in experiments 
with it. The author stated that in the neighbourhood of stables and such like 
places, ozone was never to be found in warm weather, and concluded with a few 
remarks on the antiseptic properties of ozone below 60° F. 
On Impurities in Lead and Molecular Motion. By Dr. Zennzr. 
_ This communication referred to a peculiar effect of molecular motion in ip 
impurities from metals—lead being instanced. The author classified the con- 
