54 ARTIFICIAL FORMATION OF A VEGETO-ALKALI. 
ART. XV. — AN ACCOUNT OF THE ARTIFICIAL FORMATION 
OF A VEGETO-ALKALI. 
BY GEORGE FOWNES, ESQ. ' 
The substance which is the subject of investigation in 
tjris paper is a volatile oil, obtained by distillation from a 
mixture of bran, sulphuric acid and water, and is desig- 
nated by the author by the name of furfural. Its chemical 
composition is expressed by the formula C 15 H 6 O 6 , and its 
properties are the following: — When free from water and 
freshly rectified, it is nearly colorless; but after a few 
hours, it acquires a brownish tint, which eventually deepens 
almost to blackness. When in contact with water, or when 
not properly rendered anhydrous, it is less subject to 
change, and merely assumes a yellow color. Its odour re- 
sembles that of a mixture of bitter almond oil and oil of 
cassia, but has less fragrance. Its specific gravity at 60°, 
Fahr., is 1.168; it boils at 323°, Fahr., and distils at that 
temperature without alteration. It dissolves to a large ex- 
tent in cold water and also in alcohol. Its solution in con- 
centrated sulphuric acid has a magnificent purple color, 
and is decomposed by water. Nitric acid, with the aid of 
heat, attacks the oil with prodigious violence, evolving 
copious red fumes, and generating oxalic acid, which ap- 
pears to be the only product. It dissolves in a solution of 
caustic potash, forming a deep brown liquid, from which 
ashes precipitate a resinous matter. With a slight heat, it 
explodes when acted upon by metallic potassium. 
When placed in contact with 5 or 6 times its bulk of 
Liquor ammonify it is gradually converted into a solid, 
yellowish-white, and somewhat crystalline mass, which is 
very bulky, perfectly soluble in cold water, and easily ob- 
tained in a state of dryness under a vacuum. The formula 
