OF THE FIXED OILS IN CONTACT WITH SULPHUR. 371 
ganic sulphuret, analogous to sulphuret of allyl, the constitution of which must 
be represented by the formula C,; H;S,, to which I give the provisional name of 
Sulphuret of Odmyl (from dz odor), and that the rational formula of the mer- 
cury compound is— 
(C, Hy S, + Hg, Cl) + (Cs Hs S, + Hey 8). 
On contrasting this with the formula of the allyl compound, which is— 
(Cg H; Cl + Hg» Cl.) + (Cg H;S + Hg, 82), 
two important points of difference are apparent, namely, that in the-new com- 
pound we have the sulphuret, and not the chloride, of the base in union with cor- 
rosive sublimate, and the presence of subsulphuret in place of sulphuret of mer- 
cury in the second member of the compound. It is even possible to approximate 
more closely the formule of the allyl and odmyl compounds, by assuming the 
sulphuret of odmyl to be represented by C, H,S; in which case, the mercury 
compound becomes :— 
{3 (C, H, S) + Hg, So} + (C,H, Cl + Hg, Cl). 
This formula is, however, incompatible with its reactions, as it involves the 
presence of calomel in the compound. ‘Treatment with caustic potash, however, 
shews that this is not the case; as it immediately becomes yellow, from the sepa- 
ration of oxide of mercury, while the black suboxide would have been formed had 
calomel been present. 
When a current of sulphuretted hydrogen is passed through the mercury 
compound suspended in water, it becomes rapidly black, a peculiar smell is ob- 
served, along with that of sulphuretted hydrogen, and, by distillation, an oil 
passes over, which is obtained floating on the surface of the water. It is per- 
fectly transparent and colourless. Its smell is peculiar, and resembles the nau- 
seous odour developed by crushing some umbelliferous plants. When dissolved 
in alcohol, it gives, with corrosive sublimate, a white precipitate, soluble in hot 
alcohol, from which it is deposited in crystals precisely similar to those from 
which it had been originally separated, and, with bichloride of platinum, a yellow 
precipitate, slightly soluble in hot alcohol and ether. This oil is, in all probability, 
the sulphuret of odmyl C; H, S., but the small quantity in which I have been 
able to obtain it, has prevented my performing any analysis of it. 
The Platinum Compound. When a solution of bichloride of platinum is added 
to the alcoholic solution of the crude oil, a yellow precipitate makes its appearance, 
which does not fall immediately, but goes on gradually increasing for some time, 
precisely as is the case with the allyl compound. The properties of this precipi- 
tate are not, however, perfectly constant, but vary according to the portion of the 
oil employed to yield it. That obtained from the more volatile portion has a fine 
sulphur-yellow colour, but the less volatile oil gives an orange precipitate. It is 
VOL, XVI. PART III. 5B 
