Smith. ] 68 [June 15, 
This fish has a superficial resemblance to the Lepomis mystacalis. The 
ends of the long gill-rakers are obtuse, as in the LZ. apiatus. There are no 
palatine teeth. It resembles also in form and coloration the Pomotis 
microlophus, Gthr. (P. speciosus, Holbr.) from the St. John’s River, 
Florida, a species which I have not seen. According to Dr. Holbrook’s 
figures and descriptions, there is a material difference in the radial formula 
which is, D. X .10; A. III .9. The form of the dorsal fin is also very 
different, the second being the higher, and separated from the first by 
a deep notch, which leaves one spine with the soft rays. 
I have this species from near Volusia, and also from near Bayport on the 
West Coast. 
Achirus mollis, De Kay. 
Radii, D. 48; A. 85. Length without caudal fin .078; depth of body 
042. 
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE LABORATORY OF THE UNIVER- 
SITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
INOS Exe 
Dichlorsalicylic Acid. 
By Epear F. Smiru, Pu. D., 
Assistant in Analytical Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania. 
(Read before the American Philosophical Society, June 15, 1877.) 
As early as 1845, Cahours (Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie—52. pp. 
340 and 3841) described a di-chlor acid which he obtained about the same 
time he was investigating the di-bromine substitution products of salicylic 
acid. 
The course he pursued to produce the compound was to treat an aqueous 
solution of salicylic acid with an excess of chlorine. According to his de- 
scription the acid thus obtained possesses great stability and can very readi- 
ly be obtained pure. : 
And again by allowing a slow current of chlorine gas to stream through 
a dilute solution of potassium salicylate potassium dichlorsalicylate was 
formed. This salt after repeated recrystallization was obtained in almost 
colorless needles. 
The acid corresponding to this salt was precipitated in white masses 
upon the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid to a solution of the latter. 
The acid is soluble in boiling alcohol, from which upon cooling, it sepa- 
rates in needles. Well formed octahedral crystals were secured by allowing 
a rather dilute solution to evaporate slowly in the air. Boiling water dis- 
solves but small quantities of this acid, which separate out again in very 
fine needles when the solution becomes cool. Boiling concentrated nitric 
acid dissolves the compound, and when the liquid cools, beautiful yellow 
