56 Scientific Intelligence. 
The decomposition of uric acid into dialuric acid—which passes 
into alloxantin and alloxan by oxidation—by the action of nitric 
acid, makes formulas B and D the most probable. Indeed, if 
cyanamide is NH,--- Sereag al femme: is represented by D, as 
above; but if eyanamide be really carbodiimide, } =-O=:-N ; 
San the same substance has the constitution given in B. Mulder 
° 
5 
“a 
5 
, gives dialuramide and alloxan, he assumed that b 
the action of cyanamide, it would give dialureyanamide and 
alloxan, according to the saisieccadl equation : 
ines ne +C,H,N,O,. 
Starting — the well-known fact that alloxantin, by the action 
f am B 
Cyanamide was carefully proper by the action of ammonia 
gas sores an etherial solution of cyanogen bromide. Alona 
' was prepared by reducing alloxan with H,S. Two grams allox- 
antin were dissolved in as little water as possible and one gram 
Soapnar aie also dissolved in a minimum quantity of water, was 
added and the two oo together. Presently a heavy puly eru- 
lent precipitate formed, recalling uric acid, and weighin 
ffor i m 
the above reaction took place. Two grams of this powder were 
dissolved in potassium hydrate. On adding hydrochloric acid 
a gelatinous precipitate, resembling that of uric acid, w 
duced. But unlike this it did not become crystalline on adie 
an excess ee acid and warming. The potash solution gives a 
ck —_ with silver nitrate, like uric acid. Though also 
st ble in water, it possesses like uric acid a weak acid 
reaction. Mulder proposes pi eibeataays the name isouric acid 
for the new substance, and suggests that in true uric acid the 
hydrogen atom now in the lateral chain may be united to CH, thus: 
oe NH 00---Cl 
“. NH~.-CO-.-NCGN 
—Ber. Beri. Chem. Ges. » Vi, 1233, Nov., pe G. F. B 
ermic p 
oad Charcoal. Liquefaction of the condensed gases ; ie M. 
Metsens.—Absorption of chlorine by wood-charcoal may ¢ 
pan it es peeees a a weight of chlorine = to that of the char- 
