18 
Original Cvtnmunications. 
the clear liquor and evaporate, so that upon cooling it may 
crystallize. 
This process is certainly preferable to that by double de- 
composition. The product is purer, the materials also are 
cheaper, and the manipulation easier. The quantity of ace- 
tate of zinc, which according to the equivalent proportions 
these quantities should yield is 6.5 oz. 32.84 grs. ; but I 
have not been able to obtain from 8 oz. of the acetate of lead 
of commerce more than 5 oz. This deficiency is probably 
because the acetate of lead did not contain its full complement 
of acetic acid, owing in part to a small quantity of carbonate 
which the commercial salt usually contains, but chiefly to 
its having been partially changed into a basic sesqui-acetate 
by exposure. 
Acetate of zinc may also be formed by direct combination 
between acetic acid and zinc, or its oxide, or by decomposing 
the carbonate by acetic acid. Neither of these modes how- 
ever, is available in procuring the salt for commercial pur- 
poses. 
Acetate of zinc, when recently crystallized from a solution 
which has not been too far evaporated, is in colourless trans- 
parent plates, usually hexagonal, sometimes though rarely, 
rhombic, which are slightly efflorescent in dry air. As found 
in the shops, it is in opaque white scales of a micaceous or ra- 
ther talcose appearance, having an astringent, metallic, very 
disagreeable taste. One ounce of water at the temperature of 
60° dissolved 190 grains. One ounce of alcohol of sp. gr. .835, 
dissolved twelve grains. It is much more soluble with the 
aid of heat, boiling water dissolving more than sixteen times 
its weight, boiling alcohol more than four times. Its specific 
gravity was found by weighing it in a saturated solution, to 
be 1.6975, by weighing it in ether, 1.696. Acetate of zinc is 
decomposed by the stronger acids, which unite with the oxide 
of zinc, liberating the acetic acid. Its solution is precipitated 
by the alkalies and their carbonates. The precipitates with 
the caustic alkalies redissolve in an excess of the precipitant. 
It also forms precipitates with lime and baryta waters, and 
with infusion of galls. When exposed to heat, decomposition 
