CHLORAL-HYDRATE. 
237 
2.  At  about  300°  C.  the  largest  proportion  consisting  of 
benzylo-benzoic  ether,  yielded  with  alcoholic  potassa  solution, 
benzoic  acid  and  benzalcohol.  On  rectifying  the  ether  in  a  cur- 
rent of  carbonic  acid  gas,  a  portion  was  obtained  in  crystals, 
proving  the  correctness  of  Cannizaro's  observation,  that  under 
certain  circumstances  the  ether  will  crystallize. 
3.  At  about  the  boiling  point  of  mercury  benzylo-cinnamic 
ether,  yielding  with  alcoholic  potassa  solution  cinnamic  acid  and 
benzalcohol. 
Dark  colored,  thick  residues  were  left  in  the  retort,  which 
might  possibly  contain  styracin  and  carbobenzoic  acid  ;  but  on 
treating  the  oil  of  Peru  balsam  Avith  alcoholic  potassa  solution 
only  cinnamic  and  benzoic  acids  were  obtained,  and  the  crude 
benzalcohol,  by  fractional  distillation  and  oxydation  of  the  frac- 
tions with  chromic  acid,  did  not  yield  any  products  from  which 
the  presence  of  styron  or  styracin  might  be  inferred. 
Peru  balsam,  therefore,  contains  free  cinnamic  acid,  resin  and 
the  benzylic  ethers  of  benzoic  and  cinnamic  acids.  The  small 
quantities  of  free  benzoic  acid  and  benzalcohol  are  most  probably 
due  to  the  decomposing  influence  of  the  caustic  alkali. 
Balsam  Peru,  may,  however,  like  other  drugs,  sometimes  con- 
tain benzoic  or  cinnamic  acid  in  preponderance,  and  may  even 
occasionally  contain  styracin. — Annalen  d.  Qh,  und  Ph.,  J^ov.^ 
1869,  129-137. 
OHLORAL-HYDRATE. 
In  a  communication  to  the  Archiv  d.  Pharm.  1869,  Dec, 
248,  249,  E.  Sobering,  of  Berlin,  an  extensive  manufacturer  of 
this  new  hypnotic  and  anaesthetic,  makes  the  following  state- 
ment : 
Chemically  pure  chloral-hydrate  (CgClgOH+HgO)  forms  white 
acicular  crystals,  has  a  peculiar  pungent  odor,  a  somewhat  bitter 
taste,  produces  in  concentrated  solution  a  slight  irritation  in  the 
throat,  fuses  and  sublimes  readily,  and  keeps  well  in  glass- 
stoppered  bottles,  even  in  aqueous  solution.  In  dispensing, 
glass,  porcelain,  or  silver  utensils  are  to  be  used. 
It  is  readily  soluble  in  distilled  water ;  only  after  prolonged 
