378 Scientific Intelligence. — Chemistry. 



soluble in water ; and this solution colors the chloride of iron of a 

 deep red, a proof that it is formed of sulpho-cyanuret of potassium. 

 Fuming nitric acid decomposes this ether rapidly, producing a heat 

 which extends to incandescence. In treating it with diluted acid, 

 much nitrous acid is disengaged, and the liquid which remains pre- 

 cipitates the salts of barytes. Mixed with concentrated sulphuric 

 acid, it loses its transparency ; and when the mixture is warmed, 

 sulphurous acid is disengaged, and the liquid becomes black. 



Sulpho-cyanic ether absorbs chlorine in great quantity, without 

 changing its form. If a little water be added, and chlorine be still 

 introduced, a fresh quantity is absorbed ; the odor of chloride of sul- 

 phur disappears, and a strong and penetrating odor of chloride of 

 cyanogen ensues ; the liquor then has a very acid taste, which final- 

 ly becomes caustic ; it precipitates barytic salts. 



Iodine dissolves without difficulty in this ether, giving it a deep 

 brownish red color, but does not decompose it ; for water agitated 

 with the solution, does not redden litmus ; caustic potash removes 

 the iodine immediately, and the ether separates with a white color, 

 and with its pecuhar odor. 



Sulphur is equally soluble, and even in all proportions, at an ele- 

 vated temperature ; but the solution scarcely begins to cool, when a 

 part of the sulphur separates, in the form of a yellow oil. When en- 

 tirely cold, it sets into a radiated mass, which, in a few days is con- 

 verted into large crystals, which are no other than sulphur. Phos- 

 phorus can, with the aid of heat, be made to dissolve in it in consid- 

 erable proportion, and when cool it becomes crystalline. 



From the properties above described, it may be inferred that this 

 ether is a compound of sulphuret of cyanogen, with carburetted hy- 

 drogen; an opinion which is strengthened by the fact, that in pre- 

 paring it, sulphurous acid is constantly formed. It is not then at the 

 expense of the water of the alcohol, that the potassium of the sulpho- 

 cyanuret of potassium become oxidized, but at the expense of the 

 sulphurous acid. — Ann. de Chim. Juin, 1829. 



9, Pure Milk. — In a valuable essay on the milk sold in Paris, by 

 M. Barreul, the following facts are stated : 



By the extension of the use of coffee, (cafe au lait) the quantity of 

 milk now consumed is at least double that which was used eighteen 

 or twenty years ago. 



But the number of milch cows in the vicinity ol" the city has not 

 increased in any thing like the same proportion. 



