~M. C. Lea :—Chemical Contributions. 177 
in the Old world; in short we know of nothing in this forma- 
tion bearing any analogy to the fossils of the Old Red sandstone. 
In conclusion, we would remark that the relations between 
the Chouteau and Burlington limestones in Missouri, Iowa, and 
Illinois, where both occur together, as well as the affinities of 
the fossils found in the former in the states mentioned, and at 
Kockford, Indiana, show that it should probably be referred to 
the Carboniferous system; or, at any rate that it is much more 
ch than the Chemung, and not equivalent to any New York 
rock, 
It is not improbable, however, that the Portage and Chemung 
groups may be represented between the Chouteau limestone and 
the horizon of the Black Slate, at some places in the Western 
States alluded to, but if so, their presence there has yet to be 
clearly demonstrated. 
Art. XIX.—Chemical Contributions ; by M. Carey LEa. 
1. On the Prezaration of Nitrate and Nitrite of Ethyl. 
NITRATE OF ETHYL. 
THE tendency of alcohol to decompose nitric acid is so great 
that while we have any number of processes for obtaining nitrite 
of sev de Millon’s is the only one known for forming the nitrate. 
But Millon’s process fails much oftener than it succeeds (such at 
least has been my experience) in consequence of the proportion 
small. 
Millon’s process as quoted in Kolbe’s Organische Chemie, di- 
Tects to distill equal weights of alcohol and of colorless nitric 
acid sp. gr. 1-401. Not to operate upon larger quantities than 
120 to 150 grammes, and to add a little urea, to the above quan- 
ty, at most (‘‘hdchstens”) 2 grammes of urea. 
Conducted as above, the operation succeeded with me but once 
urea, three or four times as mueh, or even more, success 
ably follows, and there results a great saving of urea, 
when the process fails, the materials, urea included, are entirely 
lost, whereas when conducted as just described, very little urea 
i8consumed. It is only necessary to add fresh acid and alcohol, 
after the first proportion has been distilled to about one fif 
n 
larger than in the first. 
Nor have I found it necessary to operate on the small quan-— 
tities above mentioned, but have habitually used quantities 
- AM. Jour. Sor.—Seconp Serres, VoL. XXXII, No. 95.—Serr., 1961. 
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