Mons. R. Piriii on the Combinations of Salicyle, 2] 1 
Berzelius suggests the probability of the atom of salicine 
consisting of (2 C, 2H, O). To ascertain this fact by expe- 
riment, Piria dissolved salicine in warm water, added a few 
drops of ammonia, and then dropped in a solution of the 
tribasic acetate of lead : a white flocculent precipitate was ob- 
tained. This was collected, dried, and submitted to analysis, 
the result of which proved the crystallized salicine to con- 
sist of 
Per cent. 
21 atoms carbon = 126 = 55*76 
14 hydrogen.. 14 6*06 
II oxygen...... 88 38*18 
Weight of atom ... 228 
The anhydrous salicine contains two 
and consists of 
21 atoms carbon. = 126 
12 hydrogen .. 12 
9 — ^ oxygen 72 
100 
atoms less of water, 
Per cent. 
= 60*49 
5*63 
33*88 
Weight of atom 210 100 
Dobereiner has long ago shown that salicine, when distilled 
with oxidating bodies, as a mixture of sulphuric acid and 
peroxide of manganese, yielded a larger proportion of formic 
acid than any other known substance. By distilling it, how- 
ever, with other oxidating agents, taking care to avoid an 
excess of acid, Piria obtained a distinct product, which con- 
sisted of an organic base combined with hydrogen, which, in 
conformity with the adopted nomenclature, he has named hy~ 
druret of salicyle \ like benzoyl and spiroyl, salicyle has not yet 
been obtained in a free state. It bears so close an analogy 
to the former, that they may be considered as having one 
common radical, as may be seen by comparing their element- 
ary composition. 
Carbon. Hydrogen. Oxygen. 
Benzoyl = 14 atoms 5 atoms 2 atoms ‘ 
Salicyle 14 ^5 4 
and thus benzoyle and salicyle may be respectively considered 
as two oxyds of an hydrocarbon, consisting of (14 C 4- 5 H). 
Dumas has, as is well known, suggested that benzoyle and 
benzoic acid may be considered as two oxides of this hypothe- 
tical hydro-carbon or benzogene, in which case salicyle and 
salicic acid may be considered as two other members of the 
same group, thus — 
P 2 
