Ixxxviii Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [May, 
This paper will be published in a subsequent number of the 
Journal. 
4. A Double compound of mercuric oxide with Acetone.— 
By Jitenpra Natu Raxksuit. Communicated by Dr. P. C. Ray. 
Gunning (Zeit. anal. Chem., 24, 147) observed that acetone 
has the property of dissolving precipitated mercuric oxide and 
devised the well-known method for the detection of acetone. 
Emerson Reynolds (Proc. Royal Soc., /7, 431) and Kutscheroff 
(Ber. 17, 20) have prepared the compound 3HgO, 2C,H,O0 from 
the solution of mercuric oxide in acetone. By the following 
rocess another condensation product is obtained. To a 
saturated solution of mercuric chloride excess of caustic soda 
is added. The mereuric oxide thus precipitated is washed 
twice with its equal bulk of water, so that the alkali is not 
completely removed. Then acetone is added drop by drop 
with constant agitation, till about two-thirds of mercuric oxide 
is dissolved, Finally it is shaken vigorously and allowed to 
f 
solution of mercuric chloride and acetone by alkali carbonates, 
ammonia and substituted ammonium bases. 
e products formed, however, are not of the same appear- 
ance. Iam engaged in preparing compounds of mercury and 
pete: metals with other compounds containing ketonic radi- 
cals, 
5. Firoz Shah’s Tunnels at Delhi: a note by Rev. H. 
Hosten, 8.J. ; 
I have twice already dealt with this subject (cf. J.A.S.B., 
1911, pp. 99-108 ; 1912, pp. 279-281). Sir Edward Maclagan, 
a letter dated Hodal, June 3, 1857, and addressed by P. H. 
(probably Mr. Harvey) to Colonel Becher, Camp, Delhi. 
‘The Raja of Bullubghur, a scoundrel, sent me the en- 
closed last night: ‘ There are unknown covered ways running 
all through the north part of Delhi’; but Metcalfe should 
know about these, one being supposed to run from Hindoo 
Rao’s house to the Palace.’’ ! 
| Cf. Cox. Kurra Youna, Delhi,—1857, London, 1902, p. 77. This 
reference, being more than a month earlier than the incident related in 
J.A.S.B., 1912. pp. 280-281, may explain how the soldiers, having got 
hold of the tradition, ‘‘ would not be convinced but that the rebels were 
working a mine under their feet.’” 
