40 REPORT — 1867. 



of Stornoway ; and are subsequently to be met with in the southern mariets 

 (c. g. Glasgow). 



4. Cudbear is also largely used in the same islands (Lewis and Harris), being 

 imported from southern markets via Glasgow. 



5. In Caithness and Sutherland a similar use is made of "Crottle," Thurso 

 being the market and seaport to which the home-dyed produce is consigned 

 h]i barter. 



G. Similar use is made of " Crottle " and other lichens {e. g. Lecanora tartarea, 

 jRamalina scojmlortmi, Stida pulmonacea^, in Lochaber, Badenoch, and other 

 parts of the Scottish Highlands. 



7. The process of dyeing varies greatly in different districts, ammoniacal mace- 

 ration being apparently imknown in "the Hebrides, while it is or was generally 

 adopted in the central Highlands. 



The conclusion of the paper is occupied with obseryations on the present unsa- 

 tisfactory character or condition of 



1. The cliemistnj of lichens, and more especially of the lichen-dj^es. 



2. The lichen-exhibitions in our national Museums ; and 



3. Lichenological literature ; so far at least as this is represented by standard 

 works of reference — Botanical and Chemical. 



In regard to the iirst subject of complaint, he advocates a new series of re- 

 searches to be undertaken cmijointhj by conqjctent chemists and lichenologists, so that 

 the one may assist or correct the investigations of the other : in reference to the 

 second, a systematic arrangement, by competent lichenologists and chemists, with 

 proper periodic supervision and rearrangement; and as concerns the third, the 

 consultation, by compilers, of original recent works of research instead of repe- 

 tition at second hand of the obsolete notions and errors of the earlier authors. 



On a New Si/nthcsis of Ammonia. B>/ P. T. Main and A. E. Catton. 



Note on the Artificial Production of Oil of Cinnamon. 

 By "W. L. Scott. 



On the Bisulidiite of Calciinn as a Preservative of Animal Substcmccs. 



By "W. L. Scott, 



On a Comj^oimd formed by the direct union of Aldehyde and Anhydrous Prussic 

 Acid. By Maxwell SuiPSON, M.D., F.B.S., and A. Gautiee, M.D. 



The synthesis of alanin from aldehydate of ammonia, prussic and hydrochloric 

 acids, and the formation of lactic acid by the action of the same acids upon alde- 

 hyde, render highly probable the existence of an intermediate body, resulting from 

 the direct union of prussic acid and aldehyde, the formation of which constitutes 

 the first phase in these reactions. It is this body which forms the subject of the 

 present paper. 



If one molecule of anhydrous hydrocyanic acid be added to one molecule of dry 

 aldehyde, contained in a balloon surrounded with a freezing mixture, the two 

 liquids mix without combining chemically, and their chemical combination is not 

 accelerated by heating at 100° C. If, however, we lea"\"e them in contact for ten 

 or twelve days at the ordinary temperature of the air, they gradually unite, form- 

 ing a perfectly transparent and colourless liquid. On subjecting this to distillation, 

 it was observed that hardly a drop passed over under 100° ; a small quantity be- 

 tween 160° and 174°, and the remainder of the liquid between 174° and 185° C. 

 On redistilling the latter portion it was found that the greater part passed over at 

 about 183° C. A considerable quantity, however, came over between 40° and 60°, 

 consisting principally of the parent bodies, which had been dissociated by the 

 simple vaporization of the liquid. On leaving these bodies thus dissociated once 

 more in contact for some days, the point of ebullition rose as before to 183* C. 



* The liquid was distil ed with great rapidity. 



