274 Mr. G. 8. Walpole. The Action of ~~ |Octhzm 
to a transparent mass, which melts indefinitely at about 28°, and shows to a 
marked degree the phenomena of super-cooling. It is slightly dextro- 
rotatory, the value for [«|p for different preparations varying from + 0°46 
to +0°71. A sample of crude glycol gave the value +1°6 for [«¢]p when 
dissolved to the proportion 22 per cent. in a saturated aqueous solution of 
borax, while in aqueous solution it was +0°8. Dried over quicklime no 
decomposition apparently takes place at once, though, after several months, 
discoloration, diminution of viscosity, and development of a peculiar smell 
occur. 
Samples of the natural product gave the following figures on burning :— 
8 HL, 
per cent. per cent. 
OR Aae ees 52°41 10 ‘80 
AN reeves te 52 °68 2) 10°92 
IUD R Saheaonanar 52 *62 10 °92 
1 P ebepacdat hes 52°71 10°93 
The figures corresponding tothe formula C,HiO2 are 53:33 for C and 
11:11 for H. It will be seen that the presence of a trace of moisture will 
account for this discrepancy, which will be referred to later. 
Desiecation of the “ Crude Glycol.” 
In order to determine the percentage composition of the desiccated 
natural “glycol” a sample several times redistilled in vacuo was distilled on to 
quicklime, sealed up for several weeks, and then distilled off again at 12 mm. 
pressure. No difference in boiling point was observed between the four 
consecutive fractions of several cubic centimetres, each of which was collected 
and at once hermetically sealed. 
Melting-point—These were now all frozen and very slowly warmed in a 
large bath from 5° to 30°, the operation taking two hours and the bath being 
vigorously stirred the while. 
Sample I.—At 21° it became pasty and began to liquefy and did so more 
rapidly than IV. Sample II was not further examined. Sample II1 remained 
solid above 28°5. Sample IV became pasty and began to Fae at 21°, and 
completely liquefied at 28°. 
It will be seen that the figures of Sample III, which had the highest 
melting point, correspond accurately’ to the formula C,H 02, but are 
considerably different from those of Nos. I and IV. 
The value of [«]p falls as the material distils. 
