M. Tichanowitsch on Electrolysis of Organic Bodies. 309 



Absolute alcohol was almost unaffected by a battery of 900 

 elements; the quantity of gas collected after seven hours was so 

 small that it could not be analysed. At first there was no 

 action, and a slight action was only set up after some time, 

 when the alcohol had attracted moisture by standing. It may 

 be assumed, therefore, that absolute alcohol offers a complete 

 resistance to the current. 



Ether was unattacked by the action of a battery of 900 ele- 

 ments, even when the poles were only a millimetre apart. There 

 was no disengagement of gas; and the boiling-point remained 

 the same as before. When the electrodes were 20 millims. 

 asunder, there was an undulatory motion of the liquid from 

 the carbon to the zinc pole. 



With amylic alcohol 900 elements were used, the electrodes 

 being 1 millim. apart. The multiplier stood at 20°. There was 

 an undulatory motion from the carbon to the zinc pole, and after 

 some time a yellowish deposit was formed on the zinc pole, 

 which, under the microscope, was seen to consist of a pulveru- 

 lent mass of yellow colour. When, subsequently, the electrodes 

 were brought nearer, they melted together, the liquid became 

 heated, and a black carbonaceous mass was deposited. 



Valerianic acid, turpentine, and anhydrous boracic acid were 

 unacted upon by a battery of 900 elements. . 



950 elements produced no action on bisulphide of carbon ; the 

 multiplier stood at 0°. A previous experiment in 1858 with 

 800 elements gave an equally negative result. 



Silicic acid in the pulverulent form was placed in a clay 

 crucible and exposed to the action of the current. At first there 

 was no action, but afterwards the whole mass became ignited ; 

 the side of the crucible nearest the zinc pole was perforated, and 

 a platinum globule melted through, which was found to contain 

 silicon. 



300 elements produced no action on dry powdered oxide of 

 antimony, nor did 370 on oxy chloride of antimony. 



With dried powdered oxide of zinc 370 elements produced an 

 energetic action, and the reduced zinc became ignited. The 

 decomposition also ensued with 60 elements; even with 20 

 there was a slight action. 



40 elements acted strongly on sulphuret of antimony ; sulphur 

 was liberated at the charcoal pole and became ignited. 



Realgar required 260 elements for its decomposition; the 

 products of the action, sulphur and arsenic, immediately took 

 lire, and were converted into sulphurous and arsenious acids. 



