218 Scientific IntelUgmce. 



carbon disiilphide, slightly soluble in water. It acts like a weak 

 acid, the ammonia salt crystallizing in needles. By reducing 

 agents it is converted into hydro-rosolie acid, and by KCy into 

 hydro-cyan-rosolic acid. Acid^ alkali sulphites dissolve it to a col- 

 orless solution. Oxidizing agents convert it into a minium-red 

 substance. By heating with acetic oxide no acetyl-derivatives 

 are produced. Warmed in alkaline solution with zinc dust, leuco- 

 rosolic acid is obtained in colorless silky crystals. This yields a 

 triacetyl derivative. Triacetyl-hydrocyan-rosolic acid, tetrabrom- 

 rosolic acid, tetrabromleucorosolic acid and hydrocyantetrabrom- 

 rosolic acid are described, and the analogy of this body to the phtha- 

 leins in this respect is noted. — Liebig's Ann., clxxix, 184, Nov., 

 1875. G. F. B. _ 



6. On the Synthesis of Betaine. — Betaine (or oxyneurine as it 

 is also called) is known to be a tri-methylated glycocoU, Griess 

 has succeeded in effecting a new synthesis of it by acting on an 

 alkaline sokition of glycocoU with methyl iodide. The glycocoU 

 (one atom) is dissolved in an excess of concentrated potassium 

 hydrate soluticm, the methyl iodide (three atoms or more) is 

 added, and as much methyl alcohol as is needed to make a homo- 

 geneous mixture. Soon a reaction sets in, the mixture becomes 

 acid and alkali must be added. The liquid is neutralized with 

 hydriodic acid, the methyl alcohol distilled off, the residue diluted 

 and a solution of iodine in hydriodic acid added. On standing, 

 blackish-brown brilliant needles of betaine periodide separate. 

 These suspended in water and treated with HgS afford pure 

 betaine hydriodate, from which the other salts and the free base 

 can be easily prepared.— ^en Berl. Chem. Ges., viii, 1406, Nov., 

 1875. G. F. B. 



7. A Rem Acid i 

 have discovered in 

 London an acid of the formula Cj^HgO^, isomeric not only ^ 

 alizarin itself but also with anthraflavic acid. From alcohol it 

 crystallizes in long brownish-yellow needles. It is soluble in 

 baryta water with a dai-k red color, but possesses no coloring 

 propei-ties. The authors are engaged in studying it more thor- 

 oughly.— ^er. Berl. Chem. Ges., viii, 1628, Jan., 1876. g. f. b. 



8. 0?i the Constit'ution of Acids and ;SWte.— Beethklot has 

 given a resume of his results obtained by a thermo-chemical in- 

 vestigation of the composition of acids and salts when in solution, 

 which affords a ready method for their classification. According 

 to his experiments, the relative energy of acids and bases may be 

 measured by the inequality of decomposition of their salts by 

 water, added in gradually increasing amount ; this decoa 

 being indicated by the amount of heat absorbed or 

 Thus in the first class are placed strong acids and bases. These, 

 when dissolved separately in water and mixed in equal equiva- 

 lents, form stable neutral salts, and set free a quantity of heat 

 nearly constant for all the bodies of this class, and which does not 

 vary when more water is added, nor by the addition of more of 



