TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 4] 
This question being one of considerable importance, and bearing upon the nature 
of the derivative of not only carbon but probably of all other polyatomic 
elements, the author commenced a fresh examination of some of these monocarbon 
derivatives, hoping that an experimental comparison of their properties might in 
some degree help to a solution of this problem. 
In this communication only a short account was given of some experiments 
upon the chloride of methylene, obtained from chloroform by means of nascent 
hydrogen, and which had been previously used by Dr. Richardson as an anesthe- 
tic. The reagents employed were powdered zinc and ammonia, which react with 
violence upon chloroform. 
The chloride of methylene obtained by this method boiled at about 40°-5 to 
41° C., and would therefore appear to correspond to that obtained by Butlerow 
from the iodide of methylene. Its formula was determined by combustion and 
Gay-Lussac vapour-densities, and these gave results showing it to have the com- 
position CH, Cl.. 
The author proposes to examine the products of decomposition, and also to 
prepare a quantity of Regnault’s chloride of methylene from chloride of methyl 
and chlorine, that he may compare these two substances. 
Note on the Preparation of some Anhydrous Sodium Derivatives of the Sali- 
cylic Series. By W. H. Perxin, F.R.S. 
Tn the preparation of salts or other metallic derivatives of organic bodies by means 
of oxides, there is always an equivalent of water produced, unless the substance 
acted upon be an anhydride ; therefore if the resulting compound has any tendency 
to form hydrated products, su ch are nearly sure to be produced, and it often happens 
that it is difficult or impossible to remove this combined water. Having to pre- 
pare a quantity of the hydride-of-sodium salicyl in an anhydrous state, it appeared 
desirable, if possible, to obtain it anhydrous at once, and thus avoid the blacker 
and loss which it is subject to unless dried very rapidly. This object was effected 
by employing sodium-alcohol instead of a solution of hydrate of sodium, alcohol 
only being liberated when this substance enters into double decomposition with 
the hydride of salicyl. The hydride-of-sodium salicyl obtained in this manner is 
perfectly anhydrous, and of a beautiful pale primrose-yellow colour. 
By treating salicylic acid with sodium-alcohol, a new sodium derivative, crys- 
tallizing in needles, was obtained. This product contains two equivalents of 
sodium, and therefore corresponds to the dimetallic derivatives of Piria. It has 
the following composition, C, H, Na, O,. 
Salicine also yields a sodium derivative, when treated with sodium-alcohol, 
having the formula C,,H,,NaO,. This body is but slightly soluble in alcohol, 
and not very crystalline. It is deliquescent. 
On Sulphocyanide of Ammonium. By Dr. T. L. Purrsoy, F.C.S. 
In this paper the author alludes, first, to the estimation of sulphocyanogen in 
a mixture of sulphate, chloride, and sulphocyanide of ammonium. He effects this 
by precipitating the slightly acid solution by a mixture of equal equivalents of 
sulphate of protoxide of iron and sulphate of copper. The precipitate dried at 
100° C. contains Cu’, C? NS?. 
Attention is next called to some properties of sulphocyanide of ammonium. 
The author finds that this salt produces a great degree of cold in dissolving rapidly 
in water. Half a litre of water at 96° C., poured on 500 grms. of the impure salt 
extracted from gas-liquor, caused the thermometer to sink to 2°. In a more exact 
experiment, 35 grms. of pure sulphocyanide of ammonium, stirred rapidly with 
25 cub. centims of water at +26° C.,the thermometer descended in afew seconds 
to —10°; the moisture of the atmosphere condensed itself in plates of thin ice on 
__ the exterior of the glass vessel. 
It is next shown that the alcoholic solution of this salt presents the peculiar 
' phenomena of supersaturation in the highest degree. 
