388 Scientific Intelligence. 
monia mechanically, so that the tensions do not become constant 
until only the combined gas remains. e general results of this 
i d previousl 
obtained with the ammonia-chlorids. Lamy has based the construc- 
ion of a new thermometer upon the tension of the ammonia 
evolved in heating the ammonia-chlorids and especially that of cal- 
cium. Between 0° and 46° the tension increases from 120 to 1431 
millimeters, and will therefore give an extremely delicate measure 
of increments of temperature.— Comptes Rendus, Ixx, p. 45 ts nd 
393 
. 5. Ones ew method for the synthesis of organic acids. Base 
THELOT bas, drand that the hydrocarbons of the acetylene series 
are capable in the presence of alkalies of u uniting directly with 
water, oxygen and the alkaline base to form aguas acid and its 
homolo ogues. Thus in the case of acetic acid we hav 
OES 2+0-+H, e=€, H, 05. 
means of pure chromic acid. t 
thelot, is different from that of a mixture of potassic chro 
d sulphuric acid, and much more moderate. Thus chromic acid 
Propylene, €,H,, yields propionic acid, acetic acid and acetone, 
€ propionic acid being pr obably derived from propionic aldehyd, 
meric with acetone. Ghromic acid even attacks carbon in the 
cold. By operating with pure carbon Berthelot succeeded in 
obtaining a small quantity of oxalic aci 
2€+30-+H,0=€ oy, Fe 
dation of allylene by means of Sistine acid appears first 
to gen bs aldehyd €,H,6, which then by taking up the elements 
of ilows: becomes propionic ‘acid. The author sums up his results 
as follows 
A first Ge ae gives oxygen by simple addition, with for- 
Bertha of an aldehyd or acetone: 
thus €,H,+0=€,H,6 (aldehyd) 
©,H,+0=€,H,6 (acetone and propionic acid. 
2, A further action—always on the free hydrocarbon—generates 
senna cids; 
€,H,+0+H,9=€,H,0, 
€,H,+0+H, ee. HH, 6. 
ily, as already shown, the same h “drocarbons by the 
action of the alkaline hypermanganates yield bibasio acids : 
CH, 420= 6, o. 
€,H,+2' pce Hy, 0. 
