54 
ON SOME NEW LACTATES. 
Notwithstanding this negative result, it is probable that, 
in more favorable circumstances, lactate of oxide of methule 
might be obtained. 
III. LACTATE OF CADMIUM. 
To obtain this salt, two processes may be put in prac- 
tice : — 
First Process. — The lactic acid is saturated by hydrate 
or carbonate of cadmium, recently precipitated. The ope- 
ration is accelerated by holding the phial in which the ope- 
ration is conducted in water heated to from 158° to 176° F. 
When the liquid dissolves no more oxide, it is filtered, then 
evaporated at a very gentle heat until white pellicles are 
seen to float on the liquid. The capsule is then removed 
from the fire, and, on cooling, the salt is deposited in a 
spongy mass formed by the re-union of all the small needles. 
The small quantity of supernatant liquor is decanted; this 
liquor may give more salt by concentration ; the product 
obtained is afterwards dried by heat, or in folds of blotting- 
paper. 
Second Process. — A concentrated solution of sulphate 
of cadmium is afterwards decomposed by a concentrated 
solution of lactate of lime. The proportions to be employed 
are about 20 parts of lactate of lime to 15 parts of crystal- 
lised sulphate of cadmium. It must be operated with ebul- 
lition, for without the heat the precipitation of the lactate 
of lime would take place very imperfectly, and woaild often 
require a long space of time. When it is ascertained that 
the liquor no longer contains either sulphate of cadmium or 
lactate of lime, it is filtered, and then evaporated, as in the 
foregoing case. 
The lactate of cadmium obtained by each of these pro- 
cesses is a white salt, crystallised in very small needles. It 
is soluble in from 8 to 9 parts of cold water, and in four 
parts of boiling water ; it is insoluble in alcohol ; its aqueous 
solution acts with reagents like that of all the soluble salts 
of cadmium. 
