TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 57 



Heated alone in a tube, fumes smelling of oxide of kakodyle are evolved, and a sub- 

 limate of arsenious acid and metallic arsenic is produced. The results of the only 

 analysis made correspond nearly with the formula C4H(iAS(;03. The calculated 



numbers are — Carbon 8'73 



Hydrogen 2'14 



Arsenic 80*56 



Oxygen 8-57 



100-00 

 The experimental results are — 



Carbon 8-53 



Hydrogen 2-08 



Arsenic 8156 



Oxygen 7"78 



100-00 

 From the discovery of kakodyle the theory of compound radicals has received a 

 confirmation scarcely to be gainsaid; for not only has the radical itself been insu- 

 lated, but the whole kakodyle series has been formed from it directly. Further, the 

 specific gravity of the vapour of the substance obtained is exactly what it should be 

 for the radical, supposing the laws of condensation, which hold for inorganic com- 

 pounds, to be applicable also to organic bodies. From the decompositions effected 

 by heat on this radical, it seems not improbable that kakodyle is an arseniuretted 

 compound of a binary radical, consisting of C^ Hj. Erythrarsin may be conjectured 

 to be an oxide of a ternary radical, containing three times as much arsenic as kako- 

 dyle ; but this idea does not at present rest on any strong evidence. 



On the Production of Sulphuretted Hydrogen by the Action of Vegetable 

 Matter on Solutions containing Sulphates. By E. Lankester, M.D. 



Dr. Lankester stated that observation had enabled him to detect sulphuretted hy- 

 drogen in water, by the presence of some peculiar animalcute which caused a red 

 deposit : he found it in lakes and springs near Askerne, in the dropping-well at 

 Knaresborough, and other places situated on or near the great tract of magnesian 

 limestone in that district. He enumerated a series of experiments, instituted with 

 a view of investigating the source of sulphuretted hydrogen, from which he came 

 to the conclusion, that it arose from the decomposition of the sulphates in con- 

 tact with vegetable matter. In allusion to Prof. Daniell's experiments on the 

 waters from the African coast, the author stated, that Dr. Clem has recently de- 

 tected sulphuretted hydrogen to a very considerable extent in the sea-waters of the 

 British coast. Dr. Lankester is of opinion, that the elements for the production of 

 sulphuretted hydrogen are as abundant around our own island as on the coasts of 

 Africa, but it is not developed to so great an extent from the want of a high de- 

 gree of heat. He did not think sulphuretted hydrogen and malaria identical. 



An Inquiry into the Nature and Properties of the new Element, or product of 

 Electrical Actioji mentioned by Schonbeiii, By Frederick De Moleyns, 

 M.A.,F.G.S.,F.L.S. 



The author stated, that the announcement made by Professor Schonbein of Basle, 

 respecting the production of a new element by the action of electricity, which he 

 called Ozone, early attracted his attention, in consequence of the author having, in 

 the course of his electrical researches, been struck by the singularity of the peculiar 

 odour which the power of the batteries he employed produced, to such a degree as to 

 determine him, if possible, to solve the mystery. 



In the Report alluded to, which was read at the Glasgow Meeting, Professor Schon- 

 bein stated that the disengagement of the odorous substance depended, — 1st, upon 

 the nature of the positive electrode ; 2nd, upon the chemical constitution of the elec- 

 trolytic fluid ; and 3rd, upon the temperature of that fluid. He added, that his expe- 

 riments went to show that well-cleaned gold and platina were alone capable of dis- 

 engaging the odoriferous principle, and that the more easily oxidable metals, as well 

 as chaxcoal, did not possess that property at all. 



