Miscellanies. 215 



communicate successively with a flask containing sulphuric acid, a 

 gh)bular vessel moistened with water, and a dry globe. The nitric 

 acid is completely decomposed. The first flask contains pure sulphu- 

 ric acid alone. Red vapors pass from the first vessel into the second ; 

 this is filled with sulphurous acid also, for it is formed of solid while 

 crystals, in the two last experiments, as in the first. In the lalter, all 

 the sulphm-ic acid of the second flask exists in a solid crystallized 

 mass, of a greenish yellow color. The re-actions are, therefore, 

 similar to those of the old process. In the new process, the nitric 

 acid yields a portion of its oxygen to the sulphurous acid, in order to 

 convert it into sulphuric acid. liyponitric acid is thus formed, which 

 acts like the hyponitric acid in the old process, which is formed from 

 the binoxide of azote and oxygen of the atmosphere ; that is to say, 

 successively it yields oxygen to the sulphurous acid, and borrows it 

 from the air ; but the discharge requires tlie intervention of sulphuric 

 acid and water. The water has two very distinct functions ; ii arts 

 directly, by bringing into more intimate contact the sulphurous acid 

 and hyponitric acid, and this favors the oxidation of the first by the 

 oxygen of the second ; it acts also by decomposing the white crystals 

 immediately, and changing them into sulphuric acid and oxide of 

 azote. — London AthencBum, Avg. 1840, 



17. Oxalic Ether with Chlorine. — Malaguli has succeeded, by means 

 of the action of heat, (212°,) direct light, and chlorine, in converting 

 oxalic ether into a crystallized substance, in which all the hydrogen 

 has been driven ofT and replaced by chlorine. Its formula is — 

 Q'^0^,C^G\^0. It is neutral and destitute of taste and smell. It 

 melts at 338°, and congeals in rectangular plates. All fluids which 

 have an affinity for chlorine decompose it, such as alcohol, sim|)le and 

 compound ethers, essential oils, &c. Among the products of the de- 

 composition is an oil corresponding to anhydrous oxalovinic acidj 

 containing chlorine instead of hydrogen. When ammonia is added 

 to this oil, needleform crystals are produced, which are volatile, fusi- 

 ble, neutral, represented by oxamethane, which only contains two 

 atoms of the hydrogen of the amide, the rest being replaced by chlo- 

 rine — thence it is a compound of one atom of oxamide with one of 

 chloretted oxalic ether. — Ibid. 



18. Elaterite, or Fossil Caoutchouc — Pelouse has ascertained that 

 this substance, which occurs in La Vendee, has the same composition 

 as Indian Rubber, viz. CgH^. In this country iiis accompanied by a 

 sort of gum resin, which is sometimes red, sometimes yellow, and 

 even greenish; transparent, insoluble in water, and corresponds in its 

 characters with amber. — London AihencEum, Aug. 1840. 



