218 Moris. R. Piria on the Combinations of Salicyle. 
was dried and submitted to ultimate analysis, and was found 
to consist of 
Atoms. 
Theory. 
Exp. 
Carbon ...... 
10 = 
60*0 
27*63 
27-67 
Hydrogen .... 
4 
4*9 
1*71 
1*95 
Oxygen 
5 
40 
18*18 
18*82 
Oxyd of silver 
1 
116 
32*48 
51*56 
Atomic weight .. . 220 100 100 
hence the acid itself consists of 
Atoms. 
Carbon ... 10 = 60 58*16 
Hydrogen. 4 4 3*80 
Oxygen... 5 40 38*04 
Atomic weight.. 104 100 
The aqueous solution obtained by washing the decomposed 
salicide of potassium, during the separation of melanic acid, 
was submitted to examination, and after evaporating it to a 
small bulk, mixing it with sulphuric acid, and submitting it 
to distillation, acetic acid was obtained, whilst sulphate of 
potass was left in the retort. 
From these experiments, it appears^ that salicide of potas- 
sium, when moistened and exposed to the air, or to an atmo- 
sphere of oxygen gas, is resolved into melanic acid and acetate 
of potass ; and for every atom of salicide of potassium decom- 
posed, an equivalent of acetate of potassa is produced. For 
this decomposition to be understood, we must admit that 
three atoms of oxygen and the elements of two atoms of 
water, are appropriated by each equivalent of the salicide of 
potassium, thus 
Garb. Hyd. Oxy. Potassium. 
Melanic acid = 10 + 4 + 5+ 0 
Acetic acid = 4 + 3 + 3 + 0 
14+7 + 8+0 
" 2 atoms water = 2 + 2 + 0 
Minus < 
3 atoms oxygen 
14 + 5+6 + 0 
3 + 0 
1 atom potassa 
14 + 5 + 3 + 0 
1 + 1 
1 atom of salicide potassium = 14 + 5+ 4 + 1 
