336 ON THE PRODUCTION OP FURFUROL. 
presenting the remarkable circiinristance of a volatile oil 
containing hydrogen and oxygen in the proportions to form 
water. 
When furfiirol is put into a solution of ammonia, and the 
whole left to stand a few hours, combination takes place, 
and a yellowish-white, crystalline, insoluble substance is 
produced, containing C^^H^ N0\ or the elements of furfurol 
and ammonia, minus those of three equivalents of water. 
This substance is instantly decomposed by acids, with re- 
production of furfurol and a salt of ammonia. From these 
characters I considered it allied to the amides^ and named it 
accordingly farfurolamide. 
When furfurolamide is heated with a solution of potash, 
no disengagement of ammonia or other evident mark of de- 
composition occurs, but an isomeric or molecular change 
takes place, and the furfurolamide passes into a new body, 
furfurine, having the same comi)osition, but totally different 
properties, those namely of a powerful salt-base, capable of 
forming a series of well-defined and crystallizable saline 
compounds, having an alkaline re-action to test-paper, and 
even expelling ammonia from sal-ammoniac when boiled 
with a solution of that substance. 
Since the preceding experiments were published, Mr. 
Jones has kindly favoured me with a description of his ori- 
ginal process for preparing furfurol, with permission to 
make it known. This I do with pleasure, both on account 
of the interest attached to the chemical history of the pro- 
duct, and the ingenuity of the process itself, which is appli- 
cable to a variety of other purposes. 
Wheat-bran to the amount of ten cwt. was cautiously 
mixed in a large wooden vessel lined with lead, with five 
cwt. of oil of vitriol, diluted with an equal bulk of water 
and still hot, the acid being added by small portions, with 
constant stirring, to avoid carbonization. The dark, pulpy, 
fruity smelling mixture was then immediately transferred 
