232 NOTES AND ABSTRACTS IN CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY. 
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stitutes a very inflammable liquid, which, when spread over the surface of 
•paper or other non-conducting fabric, is capable of spontaneous ignition. 
•Such a solution has been called Greek fire, and more recently has received 
the name of Fenian fire. Chloride of sulphur may also be used to dissolve 
the phosphorus, but this solvent fumes strongly in the air, and the residue of 
phosphorus inflames less easily. M. Mckles, in a recent paper on the sub¬ 
ject of Liquid Fire, describes a new method of inflaming the phosphorus 
solution. If some commercial chloride of sulphur be mixed with a solution 
of phosphorus in sulphide of carbon, a yellow liquid fuming in the air is ob¬ 
tained, which may be preserved i n a closed vessel without danger. When 
ammonia is added to some of this liquid a lively deflagration takes place, 
accompanied by an intense voluminous flame which diminishes little by little, 
but lasts some time. The volatile alkali of commerce answers for the experi¬ 
ment perfectly, but it is advisable to make the operation in the open air, 
because of the acid vapours which are disengaged. At the first instant a jet 
of flame is produced which is soon replaced by a regular combustion of the 
sulphur and phosphorus. Two to three cubic centimetres of the liquid suffice 
to occasion a flame above a metre in height. M. bfickles names this experi¬ 
ment the Fen lorrain. The action of ammonia upon chloride of sulphur is 
somewhat conrplicated,—chloride of ammonium, sulphide of nitrogen, and 
several compounds of sulphide of nitrogen with chloride of sulphur, being 
among the products. The energy of the decomposition generates sufficient 
heat to cause the ignition of the phosphorus, which leads to the combustion of 
the entire liquid. It is advisable to add the ammonia from a phial tied to the 
end of a stick, and held at arm’s length. 
These solutions of phosphorus constitute somewhat dangerous liquids to 
preserve, and at the same time it might happen that it would be difficult to 
dispose of them with safety. M. !Nickles therefore indicates a ready means 
for removing the phosphorus from solution in a harmless condition. If the 
phosphorus in sulphide of carbon be agitated with an excess of sulphate of 
copper, or with a solution of oxide of lead in potash or soda, the phosphorus 
is separated as a black precipitate of metallic phosphide, and the sulphide of 
carbon is deposited at the bottom of the liquid. If chloride of sulphur be 
present in the solution, it is also decomposed by the metallic solution. 
In the course of his paper M. Nickles also refers to a fire suggested by 
M. JNiepce de St. Victor. A closed phial partly filled with benzol, and con¬ 
taining a globule of potassium, is broken beneath the surface of water; the 
metal by contact with the water causes ignition, and inflames the floating 
hydrocarbon. M. Fontaine has proposed to replace the potassium in this 
experiment by phosphide of calcium. 
Some new Substitution Products of Cellulose, etc. 
M. P. Schutzenberger has recently succeeded in replacing a portion of the 
hydrogen in cellulose and in starch by acetyle, thus producing a series of 
bodies resembling pyroxylin and xyloidin in their chemical structure, but 
containing acetyle instead of peroxide of nitrogen. The change is eflected by 
treating the organic body with acetic anhydride. 
Cotton-wool or pure filtering-paper is treated with six or eight times its 
weight of anhydrous acetic acid, and heated to 180° C. tor one or two hours. 
The solid substance completely dissolves, forming a thick dark syrup. Poured 
into water an abundant flocculent precipitate is obtained, which is washed 
with hot water and dried. This is soluble in glacial acetic acid forming a 
brown solution, which may be completely decolorized by animal charcoal. 
On again precipitating with water a white flocculent precipitate results, which, 
