MISCELLANY. 
85 
loss of the red vapor will take place, and besides this the contents of 
the retort rise and pass into the receiver. As soon as the acid is added, 
the retort is to be gently heated, and theheat is to be increased, until yellow 
vapors begin to arise; the operation is then finished. In the receiver there 
is found a liquid of an intense red color, and a solid substance, which, 
according to M. Dumas, is a compound of this substance with chlorine. 
By decantation they may be separated, and the liquor when rectified, so as 
not to obtain the whole of it, yields a compound, the boiling point of which 
is constant. 
The liquid thus obtained is of a magnificent blood-red color ; it is vola- 
tile, and yields fumes abundantly ; when put into a quantity of water it 
falls to the bottom in drops of an oily appearance, and is converted into 
chromic and hydrochloric acids. Its boiling point is 244° Fahr., and its 
specific gravity is 1.71 ; it acts rapidly on mercury ; it is decomposed by 
sulphur, detonates with phosphorus, dissolves chlorine and iodine, and 
combines with ammonia with the disengagement of light. A small quantity 
mixed with concentrated alcohol combines with it with violent explosion, 
and the inflamed alcohol is projected with force. This unexpected action 
had nearly deprived M. Walter of his eyesight, and burnt him horribly. 
The analysis of this substance by M. Walter, agrees with that of M. 
Rose, namely, 
Oxygen, . . . . 19.28 
Chlorine, . . . . 45.14 
Chromium, .... 35.58 100 
Ann. de Chimie, et de Physique. 
It appears to me that it would be more simple to consider this compound 
as an oxichloride of chromium, than a bichromate of perchloride of chro- 
mium. It might be regarded as composed of 
Two equivs. of Oxygen, . . 16 or 20 
One equiv. of Chlorine, 36 45 
One equiv. of Chromium, 28 35 
80 100 
Lond. and Edin, Philos. Mag. 
On the action of Fermentation on a mixture of Oxygen and Hydrogen 
Gases; by M. Theod. De Saussure. — It is well known that the quantity 
of hydrogen gas contained in the atmosphere does not amount to l-1000dth 
of its volume. Nevertheless the decomposition of organic matters 
continually adds fresh quantities of this gas to atmospheric air; on the 
other hand there are few substances which occasion the combination of 
hydrogen with oxygen at common temperatures; and the circumstances 
which the combination requires, prove that the disappearance of the hy- 
drogen cannot be accounted for in this way. M. de Saussure states that 
