VARIETIES. 
185 
1)  a  t  i  c  t  i  e  0  ♦ 
Dangerous  character  of  Benzine. — A.  recent  review  of  fires  in  this  city 
since  the  24th  of  October,  by  the  fire  marshal,  Mr.  A.  W.  Blackburn,  re- 
fers to  benzine  in  connection  with  two  or  three  disastrous  fires  originating 
through  its  use.  The  fire  mirshal  h  is  been  convinced  that  haversacks 
and  knapsacks,  made  of  duck  or  muslin,  or  any  kind  of  linen  or  cotton 
fabric,  when  coated  with  paint,  composed  of  lampblack  and  linseed  oil, 
hastily  and  carelessly  mixed,  and  then  glazed  with  varnish,  in  which 
benzine  is  an  ingredient,  when  packed  tightly  in  boxes  for  transportation, 
or  closely  piled  in  heaps  in  manufactories,  are  constantly  liable  to  take 
fire  from  spontaneous  combustion.  Benzine  is  a  component  part  of 
petroleum  or  coal-oil  in  its  crude  state,  as  it  comes  from  the  earth.  In 
refining  coal-oil  for  burning  or  lighting  purposes,  the  benzine,  which  is 
highly  explosive,  is  got  rid  of  by  the  process  of  distillation.  From  being, 
as  it  was  first  considered,  a  refuse  substance,  it  is  now  fast  becoming  an 
important  article  of  trade.  In  various  manufacturing  and  mechanical  arts, 
it  has  been  found  an  admirable  substitute  for  turpentine,  and  owing  to 
the  scarcity  and  high  price  of  the  latter  article,  since  the  blockade  of  the 
North  Carolina  ports,  benzine,  from  its  comparative  cheapness — and, 
indeed,  from  the  almost  absolute  necessity  of  the  case — is  fast  taking  its 
place.  It  makes  a  handsome  and  durable  paint,  and  on  wood  and  other 
solid  surfaces,  is  harmless  ;  but  as  an  ingredient  in  the  coating  on  veget- 
able textile  material,  it  is,  at  all  times,  more  or  less  dangerous.  It  is  very 
volatile,  and  at  a  certain  temperature  rapidly  assumes  a  gaseous  form. 
Where  articles,  such  as  knapsacks,  haversacks,  etc.,  freshly  glazed  with 
varnish  made  with  it,  are  undergoing  the  process  of  drying,  especially  by 
the  heat  of  boilers  or  steam-pipes,  the  whole  surrounding  atmosphere 
becomes  filled  with  benzine  gas,  and  let  combustion  ensue  from  any  cause 
whatever,  at  such  a  time,  the  apartment  will  be  enveloped  in  flames  with 
the  rapidity  of  lightning.  These  facts  are  well  worth  the  attentive  con- 
sideration of  underwriters. — Druggists'  Circular,  from  Tuckelt's  Phila.  Ins. 
Journal. 
Test  for  the  Purity  of  Acetic  Acid.  By  John  Lightfoot. — Whilst  making 
experiments  on  pyroligneous  acid  with  a  view  to  make  pure  acetic 
acid,  I  have  been  at  a  loss  for  a  delicate  test  to  ascertain  when  the  acetic 
acid  is  entirely  free  from  "  empyreuma,"  which,  hitherto,  I  have  found 
very  difficult  (when  so  dilute  as  not  to  be  tasted  or  smelt),  and  I  am  not 
aware  of  a  good  test  for  that  purpose  ;  but  I  have  found,  by  neutralizing 
the  acetic  acid  suspected  to  contain  "  empyreuma,"  or  "  empyreuniatic 
oil,"  by  carbonate  of  soda  or  potash  and  adding  a  solution  of  permanganate 
