420 ME. Gr. B. BUCKTON ON THE ISOLATION OP THE OEGANO-METALS, 
By placing these numerical values in Mullee’s fonnula, we have 
Specific gravity) P + — Q-QT 
ofthevapourj {y—v)n^ 0-08852 
On dividing the equivalent weight, represented by the formula Hg Hj, by the expe- 
rimental density, we obtain the number ^ = 12-94, which pomts sufficiently near to a 
condensation to two volumes. From the equivalent weight dhided by the more accu- 
. 1 129 cj 
rate number 14-46, we find the theoretical density of mercuric ethyl to be b-y-. 
The vapour- volume, therefore, coincides vrith that of zincethyl ; and accordingh , to 
bring it into correspondence with four volumes, the formula should be doubled. If we 
consider the great difference in the two boiling-points of mercuric methyl, which equals 
96°, and mercuric ethyl, which equals 160°, it appears more probable that the increment 
of 64° represents a greater difference in composition than is represented by one term, 
C. H 
Experiment perhaps has not yet satisfied this interesting question of the doubled foi- 
mula. It was anticipated that a proof of its correctness would be shown by the reaction 
of zincethyl on iodide of mercurous methyl. The two bodies unite readily, and a rise 
ill temperature indicates chemical action ; but distillation of the product yields a liquid 
possessing no fixed boiling-point, the thermometer ranging between 60° and 160° C. 
By fractional distillation a partial separation was effected into the two radicals, mer- 
curic methyl and mercuric ethyl. 
The anticipated and true decompositions were respectively, — 
Notwithstanding the failure of proof in this experiment, the existence of a radical 
compounded of two molecules of mercury, one of methyl, and one of ethyl, cannot be 
considered as definitively settled in a negative. 
Action of Sodium on Mercuric Ethyl. 
The electro-negative character of the group C„ 3 H„ 2 +i, in the class of org-ano-metals 
to which zincethyl belongs, may now perhaps be considered as established ; yet theie 
would appear to be some importance in knowing the deportment of sodium towards ethyl, 
when combined with a metal like mercury. Mr. Wanklyn has shown how sodium, being 
more electro-positive than zinc, displaces that metal from zincethyl. If mercury should 
be positive to ethyl in a similar organo-metal, the sodium in like manner should displace 
the mercury and form sodiumethyl. 
Sodium well freed from rock oil, was cut with clean surfaces, and introduced togethei 
