on corrosive sublimate. 
8 59 
were completely dissolved in 20 grains of alcohol ; one grain 
more was added and gentle heat applied ; it dissolved, but on 
cooling separated in the form of minute spicular crystals. 
The saturated solution was of specific gravity 1.08. 
Ether, I find, dissolves nearly one-third its weight of cor- 
rosive sublimate : thus, 20 grains of sulphuric ether of specific 
gravity .745, took up 7 grains. It was of the same specific 
gravity as the alcoholic solution, viz. 1.08. It may be worthy 
of notice, that the solvent power of ether, as well as I could 
judge from my experiments, is not increased by elevation of 
temperature, or diminished by its reduction. The boiling 
point, too, of the solution and of pure ether, appears to be the 
same. In the act of ebullition, the solution seems to be de- 
composed : where a bubble of ether is formed, there a mi- 
nute portion of corrosive sublimate is precipitated, owing, 
probably, to the property just mentioned. 
Though no change is produced in corrosive sublimate by 
oil of turpentine under the influence of light, a considerable 
action and mutual decomposition is the result of a mixture of 
the two being gently heated. On the application of a gentle 
heat to corrosive sublimate in fine powder moistened with oil 
of turpentine, the mixture becomes of a fawn colour ; there is 
a sudden and considerable elevation of temperature, acid 
fumes are generated, calomel is formed, and if the heat be 
raised, a residue of carbon is obtained. The results appear to 
be modified by the proportions of the two substances : when 
the quantity of corrosive sublimate is large, the whole of the 
oil appears to be completely decomposed, and the products 
are, liquid muriatic acid, calomel, and charcoal : when the oil 
is in excess, the part that escapes decomposition, passes over 
