Chemistry and Physics. 115 
cobalt, is completely decomposed into oxygen and a solution of chlorid 
of caleium. No chlor 
oxyd constantly takes oxygen from the hypochlorite of lime and passes 
into a higher oxyd, which is dee i 
and the process is then repeated. The same quantity of hyperoxyd will 
the small scale, flasks may be employed with advantage, and these may 
be filled with the liquid to { of their volume. Upon the large scale ‘a 
: rmi 
3. On propyl-phycit——Canivs has given the name of propyl-phycit to 
a new alcohol, which affords the first instance of a tetratomic organic oxyd 
in combination with water, and the formula of which, in the ordinary 
equivalent notation, is C,H,0,, 4HO or Colts O,. The new alcohol 
is an amorphous, solid, tough and colorless substance. It does not crys- 
tallize, is soluble in water and a , and has a very sweet taste. In its 
chemical relations, propyl-phycit resembles the group of sugars in a very 
remarkable manner. The solution, acidulated with a little chlorhydric, 
sulphuric, or even acetic acid, and evaporated in a water-bath becomes 
brown, while a body resembling humus separates, and the greater part of 
the alcohol is converted into a car us mass. Humus-like substances 
are also formed by boiling the alcohol with alkalies. Propyl-phycit pre- 
Vents the precipitation of oxyd of copper by caustic potash and reduces 
silver from the ammonia nitrate. Dilute nitric acid oxydizes the alcohol 
and forms a new acid, “e202 1 Os; by a further oxydation, oxalic acid 
Hy 
