420 Dr. Kane’s Remarks on the Compounds derived 
we find that out of his six analyses, the carbonic acid was 
lost in one, and the water in two instances ; probably from 
a too rapid and imperfect process of combustion. Mr. Wal- 
ter’s formula is therefore disproved by his own analyses, 
w^hich give too much carbon and too little hydrogen ; but they 
agree very well with the formula I proposed, if we allow his 
analyses to have been of the average degree of excellence. 
The specific gravity of the vapour of the stearopten fur- 
nishes no test w'hereby to distinguish between the formulae; 
gives 5*455, and ^21 H 20 O 2 gives 5*666. He ob- 
tained 5*62. It is true, the experimental density generally 
comes out a little higher than the calculated density ; but on 
the other hand, with these oils there is almost universally a 
trace of decomposition by which the experimental density is 
thrown too low. Hence the density found agrees with one 
formula as well as the other. 
Mr. Walter has given the name of menthene to a hy- 
drocarbon, produced by the action of dry phosphoric acid 
on the stearopten. To this body he assigns the formula 
Cc 2 o ^18 • results are, 
I. 
II. 
III. 
Theory. 
Carbon 
87*74 
87*53 
87*59 
87*18 
Hydrogen... 
12*99 
12*85 
12*71 
12*82 
100-73 
100*38 
100*30 
100*00 
In every case Mr. Walter obtained an excess of weight 
which must be an error in the hydrogen, and in every case 
the hydrogen increased by this error comes only to about 
equal the hydrogen required by his formula. In every case 
al'so he obtained too much carbon, and this with a substance 
whose perfect combustion must evidently to every organic 
chemist be most difficult. His formula cannot be true : but 
the formula gives the following numbers : — 
C 21 = 128*9 87*76 
Hj8 = 180 12*24 
146*9 100*00 
coinciding perfectly with the analyses. 
The density of the vapour of menthene Mr. Weaker found 
to be 4*95. The formula C^o H^g gives 4*835. The formula 
C 21 Hjg gives 5*046. The difference here also is so very 
trifling that no stress can be laid upon it one way or the 
other. 
The results obtained by the action of sulphuric acid, not 
being definite, do not require notice, further than to mention 
