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SELECTED ARTICLES. 
of sulphuric acid, 1 atom of base and 1 atom of ether. The 
sulphovinate of potash contains no water of crystallization. 
M. Liebig repeated the experiments of M. Marchand, and 
has confirmed his results in the most satisfactory manner. But 
he does not admit the doubt entertained by this chemist, as 
to the formation of alcohol in the distillation of sulphovinate 
of barytes with quick-lime. This formation, which is noticed 
by Mitscherlich, really takes place, and there is also a produc- 
tion of oil of wine and of the combined hydrogen of Serul- 
las. In fact, if sulphovinate of potash be mixed with hydrate 
of lime, and it be subjected to heat not exceeding 400°, spirit 
of wine only is obtained and the mixture is not blackened; if 
quick-lime be used instead of the slacked lime, a liquid is af- 
forded on distillation, which when mixed with water, gives 
a precipitate of the sulphate of the oil of wine; and if, at the 
commencement a high temperature be used, the mixture be- 
comes black, and there is a production of defiant gas, as well 
as of spirit of wine and the sulphate of the oil of wine. 
The formation of the spirit of wine is readily explained by 
the composition of the sulphate of the oil of wine: this body 
is formed of 2 atoms of sulphuric acid and 8 C. + 18 H.+ 
0; by adding one atom of spirit of wine; 4 C. + 12 H.+ 
2 0. the result is 12 C. + 30 H. + 3 0; that is, 3 atoms of 
ether. 
M. Liebig also cites the two following experiments, which 
are remarkable for their elegance. 
If a mixture of five parts of crystallized sulphovinate of 
lime and one part of acetic acid be distilled by a gentle heat, 
a large proportion of absolutely pure acetic ether will be ob- 
tained. 
By distilling five parts of sulphovinate of potash and five 
parts of sulphuric acid diluted with one part of water, perfect- 
ly pure ether will be afforded. Equally pure acetic ether can 
also be produced, by heating concentrated phosphovinic acid 
with acetate of potash. Journ. de Pharrn. 
