74 REPORT — 1859. 



atom of hydrogen as the nucleus, and charge it similarly with CH. In this case an 

 atom of C being added to each pole, the axis is CH in a double sense, viz. CHC, one 

 atom of H performing the functions of two. But now as to the equator, instead of 

 five regions of union, as there were in the case of carbon, there are only three ; whence 

 the fully charged molecule which we obtain in this case is CHC + C 3 H 3 = C-H 1 . 

 Now this, chemistry gives as the elementary formula of the non-oxygenated essential 

 oils (usually written C 20 H 1C , out of respect to the four-volume theory, but betraying 

 its tetratomic character by the 4HO which appear in the camphors, &c). And so on 

 with a multitude of hydrocarbons. This synthesis gives them ; and they are found 

 to be eminent in nature in proportion as their construction is easy and symmetrical 

 in this theory. 



But. let oxygen play a part. The first atoms of carbon which must go off from the 

 hydrocarbon C 5 H., must be those of the equator. Now these are, as has been stated, 

 three in number, leaving C 5 H 4 — C 3 = C 2 H 4 , a beautifully constructed and balanced 

 molecule, leading us to expect it abundantly in nature. And there it is abundant, 

 being the formula of marsh-gas. Most interesting also are its chemical functions 

 being a very stable nucleus. Thus add to each pole an element of syrup (simple hydrate 

 of carbon, CHO, which in the molecular form determined by the pentagonal form of 

 C, requiring as it does the dodecahedron, gives C 12 H 12 12 ), and instead of marsh-gas 

 we have alcohol. Instead of an element of syrup, add to each pole (of C 2 H J one of 

 carbonic acid, C0 2 , or one equivalent C„ O t , and instead of alcohol we obtain acetic 

 acid. Add carbonic oxide instead, and we obtain aldehyde ; and going into regions 

 where nitrogen abounds, instead of carbonic oxide add nitrous oxide, and we obtain 

 urea, NO-t-C.,H 4 +NO = C 2 H. 1 N 2 2 , and so on. 



And here the doctrine of substitution beautifully presents itself; thus in C 2 H t , or 

 C 2 HH 3 , there are three atoms of H which are appendages to the equator, and can 

 obviously cede their places to chlorine, &c. without any destruction of symmetry. 

 Hence, instead of C 2 HH 3 , we may have C 2 HCl 3 = chloroform. Instead of aldehyde, 

 C.jHH 3 0.„ we may have C 4 HC1 3 2 = chloral. Instead of acetic acid, C 4 HH 3 4 , 

 we may have CjHCl.jO^chloracetic acid, &c. The relation of urea and uric acid 

 (considered as monobasic) also appears, and the therapeutic problem assumes a definite 

 form. Thus instead of urea, C 2 HH 3 N 2 0,, we have C 2 HC 3 N 2 2 = C 5 HN 2 2 uric acid, 

 and so on, the substitutions being often easy and such as nature suggests, while the 

 series of the chemist are too often expressive rather of what is possible to nature than 

 what is natural. 



On the Action of Air on Alkaline Arsenites. By J. M c Donnell. 



On Corne and Deraeaux's Disinfecting and Deodorizing Powder. 

 By the Abbe Moigno. 



On Matches without Phosphorus or Poison. By the Abbe Moigno. 



The Abbe Moigno exhibited a Nephelogene capable of being adapted to many 

 Chemical, Therapeutic, and Hygienic purposes. 



New Process of Preserving Milk perfectly pure in the Natural State, without 

 any Chemical Agent. By the Abbe Moigno. 



To preserve milk for an indefinite period is an important problem, which in France 

 has been solved in three different modes. M. de Villeneuve was the first to preserve 

 milk, solidifying it by the addition of certain solid ingredients, but it was no longer, 

 properly speaking, milk. M. de Signac preserved it by evaporating the milk till it 

 became of the consistence of syrup, rendering it a solid mixture of milk and sugar; 

 still it could not be called milk. M. Maben also preserved it by excluding the air, 

 and exposing it to an atmosphere of steam about 100° Cent. — thus depriving it of all 

 the gases which it contained, and then hermetically sealing the filled bottles in which 

 it had been heated. When about to leave for Aberdeen, I opened a bottle which had 

 been closed by M. Maben on the 14th of February, 1854 ; and after a lapse of five 

 years and a half, I found it as fresh as it was the first day. M. de Pierre has greatly 



