382 Miscellanies. 



chlorid of calcium. The ether thus purified, is very fluid, similar to 

 the essential oil of mustard. It is colorless, has an extremely strong 

 odor of wine, which when respired is almost intoxicating. Its taste 

 is very strong and disagreeable. It dissolves readily in ether and al- 

 cohol, even when the latter is quite dilute ; yet it is not sensibly so- 

 luble in water. Its density is 0.862 and it is but slightly volatile. It 

 boils between 225° and 230° C. 



In three analyses, MM. Liebig and Pelouze obtained the follow- 

 ing results, — 



Carbon, . . 71.815 72.50 72.02 



Hydrogen, . . 11.844 11.86 12.05 



Oxygen, . . 16.341 15.64 15.93 



which correspond very nearly with the formula C * H^ ^ O'. The 

 cenanthic ether is readily decomposed by the caustic alkalies. With 

 potassa, it affords a very soluble compound, consisting of cenanthic 

 acid and potassa. When this salt is decomposed by sulphuric acid, 

 the cenanthic acid forms an oily bed on the surface of the liquid. 



(Enanthic acid. — This acid presents a butter-like consistence at a 

 temperature of 13.2 C. and is of a white color ; at a higher temper- 

 ature it melts and forms a colorless, inodorous oil, which reddens 

 turnsol and unites readily with the caustic alkalies and alkaline car- 

 bonates. The cenanthate of potash, is a pasty mass composed of 

 extremely fine fibres, which present a silky lustre after desiccation. 

 From the composition of the cenanthates of lead and silver, the au- 

 thors infer that 2 atoms of base saturate 3 of acid. 



In three analyses, MM. L. and P. obtained for the hydrated acid j 

 Carbon, . . 69.28 69.74 68.59 



Hydrogen, . .11.54 " 11.56 



Oxygen, . . 19.18 " 19.85 



which lead to the formula, C ' * H^ ^ O^ The anhydrous acid af- 

 forded carbon 74.32, hydrogen 12.2, oxygen 13.58, which corres- 

 ponds with the formula C ' * H^ "^ O^. It may hence be inferred that 

 cenanthic ether is composed of cenanthic acid united to common 

 ether, as is represented in the formula C' * H^ ^ 0^-f-C* H' " O, 

 in the construction of which and also in the preceding deductions, 

 Berzelius's atomic weights have been used. 



8. Essential oil of potatoes, by M. Augustus Cahours, (L'Institut, 

 T^o. 199.) — According to Dumas, the essential oil of potatoes is rep- 

 resented by the formula, C- " H^ « 0-. M. Cahours infers that this 



