TRANSACTIONS 01' THE SECTIONS. G5 



Elioric acid, peroxide of hydrogen, &c. lu the last part of his research the author 

 as resumed the thread of his researches previously published, and found that 

 menthene (C,o Hjg), whether derived from solid or liquid Japan camphor (by the 

 action of ZnCU), produces, on atmospheric oxidation, among other bodies peroxide 

 of hydrogen, acetic and formic acids, &c. Now Wright (Jouru. Chem. Soc. ser. 2, 

 vol. xiv. p. 2) has obtained from menthene, by the action of bromine, cymene ; and 

 so the conclusion stated in the author's previous papers that all hydrocarbons con- 

 taining cymene as a proximate nucleus give peroxide of hydrogen on oxidation is 

 confirmed. 



Wright has also failed to obtain cymene (0^ B.^^) from clove terpene (C^. H.J, 

 a result in accordance with the author's observ^ations previously made to the same 

 effect. 



The author has submitted the ethers also to atmospheric oxidation, and in this 

 way results have been obtained which are of the greatest interest and importance. 



Ethylic ether n^ S4 absorbs oxygen even in the cold, but more readily in sun- 

 shine, and gives rise in the presence of water to peroxide of hydrogen, which may 

 result from reactions represented by the following equations : — 



(1) g.^H=jo+0,=g^g3O[0+H,0, 



(2) g:g:''[o+03=g^;g30}o,-fH,o, 



(3) g^-g3j;[ 0,+2H,0 = C^g30| 0+C.H3OI o+H,0,; 



or (3) may be written thus : — 



CH,GOOI ,HHOI CH3COOHI ,HOI 

 CH3C0 0f +HHOf -CH3C00Hf ^HOf 



That is to say, the ether may, in the first place, become acetic ether and eliminate 

 water ; secondly, the acetic e'ther may become anhydride, and the latter may be 

 finally converted into peroxide. This" peroxide, being unstable in the presence of 

 water, splits up into acetic acid and peroxide of hydrogen. 



These results are confirmed by the fact that Brodie discovered acetic peroxide 

 by acting on acetic anhydride with baric dioxide. 



" These equations are, moreover, exactly parallel with those indicated by the author 

 as representing the production of hydric peroxide from turpentine, and it is to their 

 substantiation that his eftbrts in the future will be directed. Meanwhile he claims 

 that they experimentally demonstrate clearly for the first time the existence of the 

 radical hydroxyl in combination ; and, in short, the production of peroxide of 

 hydrogen in the way described amounts to the isolation of hydroxyl in combination 

 with itself. 



On two new Hijclrocarhons from Turpentine. By A. C. Letts. 



On Soda Manufacture. By J. Macteak. 



On the possible Genesis of the Chemical Elements out of a Homorjeneous Cosmic 

 Gas or Common Vapour of Matter. By Dr. Macvicak, F.R.S.E. 



On Essential Oil of Sage.—Vaxt I.* By M. M. Pattison Mtjib, F.R.S.E. 



a yellow-brown colour, without any shade of green, a st 

 lot burning taste. Its reaction is neutral. Sage-oil dc 



* PuWished in the Year-book of Pharmacy, 1876, p. 560. 



