62 



two volumes of vapour. It has, therefore, the same density 

 as camphor, and like it may be considered as consisting of 



1 volume of vapour of oil of turpentine, zz 4,7643 

 5 volume of vapour of oxygen, =: 0,5513 



1 volume of vapour of dumasine, i= 5,3156 



Professor Kane read some passages of a letter from 

 M. Dumas, of which the following is an extract: 



" * * * * The researches, of which you have given me 

 an account,* promise the happiest results for science, I 

 cannot too much encourage you to complete them ; you will 

 see by the journals that I have communicated your letter to 

 the Academy of Sciences, where it met with the most honour- 

 able reception. Allow me to add, that M. Peligot and my- 

 self had obtained the carbo-hydrogen, c 6 H 4 , as well by sul- 

 phuric acid as by anhydrous phosphoric acid. We had 

 found, that potassium gave the product C 6 h 5 o, which you 

 have obtained in another manner, but we were stopped by 

 the composition of the sulpho-mesitylate of baryta, of which 

 you have given the explanation. These researches have 

 been made some time, but other matters caused us to neglect 

 them, and I do not now regret it, since they are in such 

 good hands. * * * * " 



" * * * * I announced yesterday to the Academy the 

 existence of the carbo-vinate of potash, which is 



ko co 2 + c 4 H 5 o + co 2 . 



I also obtained, conjointly with M. Peligot, the carbo-methy- 

 late of baryta, which is 



Ba. o co 2 + c 2 h 3 o + c ° 2 - 



In these bodies the acid changes very readily into carbonic 



* On pyroacetic spirit. See Proceedings, pp. 42 and 58. 



