ACTION OP NITRIC ACID ON ALCOHOL, ETC. 283 
The intervention of nitrate of urea, in the production of 
nitric ether, is explained by the action of the urea on nitrous 
acid ; these two bodies mutually decompose each other, giv- 
ing rise to equal volumes of nitrogen and carbonic acid. So 
that the urea prevents the formation of nitrous acid. 
The primitive action of nitric acid on alcohol, is that of 
all volatile acids, viz., the production of a compound ether : 
but nitric ether is decomposed, or rather its formation with- 
in moderate limits, is accompanied by a slight production of 
nitrous acid, immediately effecting a new action ; and as the 
temperature rises, complicated reactions take place between 
the alcohol and nitric acid. 
Thus, it is only at the moment when the nitrous acid mixes 
with the nitric, that there is developed the changes which 
we are accustomed to attribute to nitric acid itself. We may 
even say, that this latter is not the sole or even the direct cause 
of the tumultuous action, but it is only the source of the ni- 
trous acid. In a word, it is with alcohol as with the metals, 
in regard to nitric acid and aqua regia. We there find our- 
selves observing mixed reactions, of which we should care- 
fully distinguish the terms and appearances. Although this 
analysis of phenomena may appear minute, it is not the less 
indispensable for obtaining a clear idea of what appertains to 
each reagent, that is to say, to each particular chemical force. 
%flnn. de C/iem. et de Phys. 
