152 
REVIEW. 
and inexpensive mode of procuring the compound. The 
changes that take place are very complicated, resulting in the 
formation of a ter chloride of formyle and a formiate of lime . 
The term chloroform has reference to its constituents — 
chlorine and formyle ; the latter is an hypothetical base, 
consisting of C 2 H, to which oxygen being added, forms 
Formic Acid C 2 H O s , an acid first discovered as existing in 
the red ant, but also produced when the vapour of pyroxylic 
spirit is brought in contact with spongy platinum. The 
difference between this acid and chloroform is seen by the 
following formulae : 
Formic Acid ..... C 2 H-f0 3 
Chloroform ..... C 2 H + C1 3 
“ Chloroform is also obtained by the distillation of a mix- 
ture of lime and water, or a solution of potassa with Chloral , , 
a fluid formed by passing dry chlorine gas, in large quantity, 
through anhydrous alcohol; and then subjecting the com- 
pound to careful and repeated distillation off sulphuric acid, 
and to subsequent rectification over quicklime. 
“ Fownes states that chloroform may be obtained as fol- 
lows : — one part of hydrate of lime is to be suspended in 
twenty-four parts of cold water, and chlorine passed through 
the mixture until nearly the whole of the lime is dissolved. 
A little more hydrate is then added to restore the alkaline 
reaction, the clear liquid mixed with one part of alcohol or 
wood spirit, and after an interval of twenty-four hours, cau- 
tiously distilled in a very capacious vessel. A watery liquid, 
containing a little spirit and a heavy oil, collects in the 
receiver ; the latter, which is the chloroform, is agitated with 
water, digested with chloride of calcium, and rectified in a 
water bath. This differs from the College formula only in 
the indirect employment of chlorinated lime, rather than the 
direct. 
“ Composition, — It will have been gathered from the above 
that chloroform is a terchloride of formyle, or 
2 atoms Carbon .... 6x2= 12 
1 atom Hydrogen . . . . = 1 
3 atoms Chlorine . . . 36x3=108 
Equivalent . . 121 
(e Properties and Uses . — Chloroform is a transparent colour- 
less fluid, somewhat oleaginous in appearance, having a 
specific gravity of 1*48 to 1-5, very volatile, of a fragrant 
smell and sweetish taste. It is very slightly soluble in 
