506 



Prof. Wanklyn on the Action of 



drochloric acid. It is metallic, consisting of metallic zinc, and 

 most probably also of metallic sodium. Absorption of the gas 

 and formation of a fragrant oil accompany this deposit of metal. 



The following is a description of the method adopted for the 

 preparation of this oil in sufficient quantity to admit of an exami- 

 nation of it. 



The carbonic oxide was prepared by Fownes's process, viz. by 

 heating ferrocyanide of potassium with excess of sulphuric acid. 

 It was collected in a large gas-holder, and after being passed 

 through potash-lye and sulphuric acid, filled into Winchester 

 quart bottles (stoppered bottles holding from 2J to 3 litres) by- 

 displacement (see fig. 1). 



The sodium-ethyle was prepared in small tubes, each tube being 

 charged with about 12 grms. of zinc-ethyle and 1 grm. of sodium, 

 which was made to act very completely upon the zinc-ethyle by 

 being shaken and gently warmed with it. The sodium-ethyle 

 having been fully formed, the tube containing it had its top cut 

 off (see fig. 2), and was then introduced into the bottle filled with 

 carbonic oxide (see fig. 3) . The apparatus was then reversed, 



r 



CO 



c 



CO 



Na.C 



8 H 5 ^S 



ir 



k 



CO 



12 3 & 



and the sodium-ethyle shaken out into the frottle containing the 

 carbonic oxide. Lastly the bottle containing the carbonic oxide 

 and the sodium-ethyle was stoppered and placed in warm water, 

 and repeatedly shaken. After a short time the contents of the 

 bottle became very black, and the digestion in warm water was 

 stopped. The bottle was allowed to cool, then a little mer- 

 cury and water poured in, and shaken up well. The aqueous 

 solution was then introduced into a retort and distilled. Along 



