30 DECOMPOSITION OP GELATINE BY CHROMIC ACID. 
drical glass. The liquid separates into two strata : one is 
aqueous, and crystallizes in part; the supernatant one is oily. 
From the analyses of the author, it results that the latter is a 
mixture of acetic and valerianic acids ; the crystallizable acid 
possessed the composition and all the characters of benzoic 
acid. 
The prussic acid had remained in combination with the 
oxide of mercury in the form of a basic cyanide == HgCy -f 
HgO, which has been described by Berzelius in his c Manual 
of Chemistry,' vol. iii. p. 871. 
The author has established the identity of the preceding 
bodies by analysis. 
To extract the volatile oils produced by the action of the 
chromic acid, the aqueous portions which passed first were re- 
peatedly rectified, each time collecting only the first portions 
which were then in their turn rectified. In this way there 
was finally obtained an aqueous liquid, upon the surface of 
which the volatile portion had separated in the form of an oil; 
the water w T as saturated with chloride of calcium, decanted, 
and rectified over fused chloride of calcium. This oil contains 
two peculiar bodies, which are separated by the difference in 
their boiling-point. 
Valeronitrile is the least volatile oil, very fluid, limpid and 
colourless ; it is lighter than water, and has a density of 0-81; 
it dissolves to some extent in water, and distils readily with 
the vapour of water ; it is neutral, and possesses an acrid 
aromatic taste ; its odour resembles that of oil of bitter almonds, 
or of hydruret of salicyle. It burns with a white luminous 
flame, and is composed of C l0 NH 9 . Hydrochloric and nitric 
acid have no action upon it, but sulphuric acid converts it into 
valerianic acid, which is set free, and into sulphate of ammonia. 
It is not altered by ammonia. It dissolves in alcohol and 
sether in every proportion, and it boils at 257°F. It is attacked 
by chlorine and bromine when exposed to the rays of the sun. 
Valeracetonitrile is a volatile oil of a similar odour to the 
preceding substance, but more agreeable. It boils betwixt 
