Mons. R. Piria 07 i the Combmations of Salicyle. "215 
acid closely resembles the benzoic ; it is scarcely soluble in 
cold water, readily soluble in hot water, as well as in alcohol 
and aether. By heat it sublimes with great facility. Mixed 
with alkaline c.'irbonates, salicic acid decomposes them, dri- 
ving off carbonic acid, and forming a series of salts. Digested 
with sulphuric acid, the new acid undergoes no obvious 
change until the mixture is heated, and then the whole turns 
black. Nitric acid does not affect salicic acid in the cold ; on 
applying heat, however, violent and tumultuous action ensues, 
dense red fumes are evolved, and a yellow solution is obtained; 
this, by repose, deposits minute yellow bitter crystals, which 
appear to be identical with the nitro-salicide obtained by the 
action of nitric acid on hydruret of salicyle. 
Salicic acid contains an atom of combined water, which it 
loses when it combines with bases; hence the crystallized 
acid is a salicate of water, or (14 C, 5 H, 5 0, + HO). 
Submitted to ultimate analysis, this consists of 
Atoms. 
Theory. 
Exp. 
Carbon 14 = 
84 
61*32 
61*10 
Hydrogen... 6 
6 
4*29 
4*41 
Oxygen 6 
48 
34*39 
34*43 
Atomic weight... 
138 
100 
100 
Salicate of silver was prepared by precipitating 
a solution of 
salicate of ammonia by nitrate of silver ; this salt is a white 
insoluble powder, and consists of 
Atoms. 
Theory. 
Exp. 
Carbon 14 = 
84 
34*70 
34*91 
Hydrogen ... 5 
5 
2*02 
2*09 
Oxygen 5 
40 
16*22 
16*43 
Oxyd of silver 1 
116 
47*06 
46*57 
Atomic weight... 
245 
100 
100 
Chloride of Salicyle, 
This compound may be obtained by a process precisely 
similar to that used for the preparation of the chloride of 
benzoyl, by transmitting a current of dry chlorine gas through 
pure hydruret of salicyle; much heat is evolved, the chlorine 
unites with the hydrogen of the hydruret to form hydro- 
chloric acid, which is copiously given off in a gaseous state, 
whilst the salicyle itself unites with more chlorine to form the 
chloride. A nearly solid crystalline mass is obtained, which 
should be purified by solution in alcohol and subsequent 
crystallization. The chloride of salicyle thus obtained is in- 
soluble in water and acids ; but in aether, alcohol, and alkaline 
