62 
ME. W. DE LA ELE AXD M. H. MIjLLEE OX 
fragments of crystals have remained unfnsed, because they become the foci of a new 
crystallization. When, however, the heat is increased only a little beyond the fusion- 
point, it remains perfectly transparent and amorphous. By contact with alcohol, this 
glassy condition is changed to the normal crystalline structure. Heated considei'ably 
above its melting-point, a portion distils unchanged, and there remains a brownish resi- 
due in the retort. 
Potassium brought in contact with this substance when in a state of fusion disengages 
hydrogen, and becomes covered with a white crust ; but when heat is apphed in order to 
fuse the so-formed potassium-compound of the sycocerylic alcohol, the reaction becomes 
so violent that the mass blackens and even catches fire. 
Heated with hydrate of potash above the melting-point of the latter, it evolves hydro- 
gen and becomes decomposed ; it appears that this reaction does not stop with the pro- 
bable formation of an acid which unites with the potash, but goes further, for in the pro- 
duct of this reaction we did not find the expected acid ; but it is our intention to pursue 
this subject if ever we are so fortunate as to procure a larger supply of material. 
Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolves readily sycocerylic alcohol with evolution of 
heat, forming a brown liquid which remains unaltered for some time. The liquid yields, 
on addition of water, a resinous viscid substance which melts at the temperature of boil- 
ing water, and is but very sparingly soluble in alcohol. Ether and chloroform dissolve 
it with facility, and, on evaporating, merely leave the resinous product in its original 
amorphous state. The aqueous liquor, saturated with carbonate of barium, gave no 
indications of the presence of a conjugated sulphuric acid. 
Chlorine, bromine, and iodine act readily on sycocerylic alcohol : if solutions of these 
reagents are used, crystalline compounds are formed. The iodine compound is of a 
yellow colour. 
In one experiment we obtained, on acting -with sodium-alcohol on acetate of syco- 
ceryl, a substance which resembled the alcohol just described, and which gave, on burn- 
ing, the following numbers : — 
I. 0’2873 grm. of substance gave 0-8885 grm. carbonic acid, and 0-3042 grm. water. 
II. 0-1887 grm. of substance gave 0-5843 grm. carbonic acid, and 0-2017 grm. water. 
The per-centage derived from these results agrees nearly mth the composition of the 
ether of sycoceryl, Cj ,2 Hja O 4 , which might be formed under favourable conditions. This 
formula would require the following numbers : — 
Analysis. 
( 
I. 
C-2=432 85-376 84-81 
H 5 s= 58 11-462 11-76 
O 4 = 16 3-162 
II. 
84-5 
11-87 
506 
100-000 
