Chemistry and Chemical Arts. 133 
but when hot, .37 parts enter into solution with it, and form a red- 
dish brown liquid ; in cooling, the largest part of the sulphur is de- 
posited in crystals. Ofall the organic acids, the acetic acid enjoys 
the strongest attraction for it. ‘These two substances unite in every 
proportion. Other organic acids in the crystallized state, either dis- 
solve in the creosote when cold or when it is hot; when they dis- 
solve only in the first case, the acid separates on cooling. Creosote 
forms two different compounds with potassa; one, which is anhy- 
drous, presents an oleaginous consistence ; the other contaiming wa- 
ter, forms little white and nacreous crystalline plates. ‘The creosote 
is separated from these combinations without alteration by the most 
feeble acids, even the carbonic. It behaves in the same manner, in 
relation to soda. 
Creosote combines very well with lime and baryta, forming a white 
unctuous matter soluble in water. When dry, this matter forms a 
pale rose colored powder. Ammonia instanily dissolves the creo- 
sote in thecold. It dissolves very readily, a large number of alka- 
line, earthy and metallic salts, as well when cold, as when hot. Some 
of these salts undergo reduction by cooling, but the greatest number 
separate without alteration, the acetates of potassa, of soda, of 
ammonia, of lead, of zinc, the chlorides of calcium, of tin, &c. 
With the acetate of copper, a decomposition first takes place, but 
afterwards it dissolves separately, the acid and the base forming a 
brown liquid. It reduces the acetate of silver: the metal being 
thrown down in the state of a white powder, which under the bur- 
nisher receives a metallic lustre. When warm, the nitrate of silver 
is reduced with equal facility. 
Alcohol, ether, sulphuret of carbon, naptha, and acetic ether com- 
bine with creosote in every proportion. ‘The resins, and the resi- 
nous coloring matters are decomposed by it, some of them in the 
cold, and others when hot. Digested with indigo, it abstracts the 
color to itself, but it abandons it on the addition of alcohol or water. 
It coagulates albumen. 
But the most important property of creosote, is that of retarding 
animal decomposition. Fresh meat, and even fish, soaked for a quar- 
ter or half an hour in a solution of creosote, is incapable of putrefac- 
tion, and may be dried completely in the heat of the sun. M. Reicu- 
ENBACH hence concludes that it is to the presence of creosote, that 
smoke owes its property of preserving from putrefaction; and he 
supposes with great reason, that this substance will become one of 
