Chemistry and Physics. 417 
It is remarkable that while the nitrids are easily decomposed by 
boiling alkaline solutions cyanid of phenyl is scarcely altered by 
these but is hydrated by the action of dilute acids, 
en benzonitrile is converted into benzoic acid benzamid is 
formed as an intermediate product 
€ oe ; 
/H,N-+H,0=€,H,NO 
When cyanid of phenyl forms aniline and formic acid phenyl- 
formamid is formed as an intermediate product 
€,H,N+H,0—C,H,N@ 
enyl-formamid, 
cyanids may be explained by referring them to different types. 
Thus in the case of the two cyanids of methyl we have 
eit «, § Nii 
N) én ca €H, 
Hofmann’s isoc > 2. 
To explain the relations of these substances to water we have the 
equations 
| Ol bai sap 
N | on, +2H0= | eft, +°H29: 
Isocyanid. Methylamine. Formic acid. 
on oH, +2H,0=6" | O# +NH,. 
3 OH 
2 tonitrile. Acetic acid. 
In the same manner we easily explain the difference between the 
cyanetholine of Cloez and ordinary cyanic r, and recognize 
in general the existence of two parallel series of cyano com- 
pou I communications has given 
i n 
apa 
attacked by alkalies but acids transform it into formic acid a 
; on, * Pee 
_Anhydrous phosphoric acid, as is well known, readily converts 
the salts of a Oe, with the fatty acids into the corresponding 
5 
