316      Method  of  Estimating  Ethylic  Alcohol,  etc.  {^jJg^'SS* 
ON  A  PROPOSED  METHOD  OF  ESTIMATING  ETHYLIO  ALCO- 
HOL WHEN  PRESENT  IN  METHYLIC  ALCOHOL. 
By  M.  Carey  Lea,  Philadelphia. 
While  engaged  in  the  study  of  some  methyl  compounds,  I  met  with 
a  method,  which  has  been  recently  published  in  England,  for  effecting 
the  above  object  with  approximate  correctness.  As  any  simple  means 
of  accomplishing  this  result  would  be  useful,  I  have  made  an  examina- 
tion of  the  proposed  method,  which  is  as  follows : 
Methylic  oxalate  is  first  to  be  prepared  from  the  specimen  of  me- 
thylic  alcohol  to  be  examined,  by  distilling  it  with  sulphuric  and  ox- 
alic acids.  After  separating  the  methylic  oxalate  from  the  distillate^ 
its  melting  point  is  to  be  determined,  and  this  melting  point  is  affirmed 
to  fix  approximately  the  quantity  of  ethylic  alcohol  present,  the 
melting  point  being  lower  in  proportion  to  the  ethylic  alcohol  con- 
tained in  the  methylic* 
This  was  tested  as  follows  : 
1.  Some  good  wood-spirit,  which  I  had  distilled  over  caustic  soda, 
was  heated  with  oxalic  and  sulphuric  acids,  and  the  crystals  of 
methylic  oxalate  separated  from  the  distillate.  It  was  not  stated 
whether  the  melting  point  of  the  crystals  was  to  be  taken  while 
they  were  still  wet,  or  after  drying.  Apparently  the  first  was 
intended ;  I  tried,  however,  in  both  ways. 
2,  The  adhering  liquid  was  squeezed  out  as  completely  as  possible 
with  a  spatula,  the  mass  was  liquified  by  heat,  and  a  therm  ome- 
trie  bulb  placed  in  it. 
Crystals  first  appeared  at  .  .    102°  F. 
The  liquid  became  thick  with  crystals  at        .    100°  F. 
8.  The  crystals  were  next  taken  out  and  dried  on  blotting  paper ;  as 
soon  as  dry  were  tried  again.    Result  : 
Crystals  first  appeared  at  .  .    128°  F. 
The  liquid  became  thick  with  crystals  at         .    127°  F. 
4.  Nine  volumes  of  the  same  wood-spirit  were  next  mixed  with  one 
volume  of  95  per  cent,  (by  vol.)  alcohol,  and  the  experiment  re- 
peated. 
*  A  table  has  been  given  to  show  the  relation  : 
Per  cent,  of  ethylic  alcohol,    0    Methylic  oxalate  solidifies  at  or  about  104°  F. 
a       ii  (i  g  ii  n  it  950 
«        i*  11  20  a  n  1*  ggo 
15  •?  "  76c 
