72 Proceedings of Boyal Society of Edinburgh, [dec. 19, 
On shaking the phosphine with a saturated aqueous solution of 
hydrochloric acid, a white crystalline precipitate is produced, which 
dissolves on shaking or on gently warming. 
Owing to our small stock of the phosphine, we were unable to 
obtain sufficient of this compound for analysis, but there can be 
little doubt as to its composition. 
Action of Bisidphide of Carbon on Monobenzyl Phosphine . — 
We thought it possible that monobenzyl phosphine might react 
with bisulphide of carbon, so as to give^a phosphorised sulphur urea, 
and the following experiments were accordingly tried : — Two grms. 
of the pure phosphine were sealed up with 2 grms. of bisulphide of 
carbon, and heated at 120° C. for two days. On examining the tube 
after heating, the contents were found to consist of a viscous, colour- 
less substance and a number of colourless needle-shaped crystals. 
When opened, a considerable quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen 
escaped. 
The contents of the tube were treated with bisulphide of carbon, 
which dissolved the viscous substance, but left the crystals. The 
latter were repeatedly washed with the bisulphide, then dried, and 
submitted to a combustion. 
=0-0118 H =5-42% 
Calculated 
Obtained. C7H7PH2.S. C7H7PS. 
Carbon, . 54‘3 53-85 54-54 
Hydrogen, . 5-4 5-79 4-5 
Owing to the very small quantity of product at our disposal 
(about 0-25 grm.), we were unable to examine it further ; hence 
its composition must remain doubtful, though its formula is pro- 
bably either one or other of the two given above. 
The bisulphide of carbon washings from the crystals were 
warmed to get rid of the bisulphide. A slightly yellow gummy 
mass remained, which was insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether, 
and from which no definite product could be obtained by the action 
of various reagents. It was, however, noticed that boiling glacial 
acetic acid dissolved it to a certain extent, and it was therefore 
treated with a considerable quantity of this solvent, in the hope that, 
if it consisted of two or more products, a separation might be effected. 
