240 
SELECTED ARTICLES. 
very soluble in pure alcohol, at ordinary temperatures, though 
it is but slightly so in ether, even when boiling. It has no 
action on test papers. Its specific gravity is 1.4298. 
When heated to 212° it loses all its water of crystallization, 
of which it retains T 7 ^ when dried at ordinary temperatures. 
If it is once deprived of this water of crystallization, it does 
not regain it by being exposed to moisture. Its point of fu- 
sion is 226° and that of boiling 350°; at 379° it begins to be 
decomposed, giving rise to a small quantity of benzoic acid, 
to pyroacetic spirit, and a brown oil heavier than water. The 
latter products are not found until the temperature has been 
raised to about 572°. 
Concentrated acids dissolve it without decomposition, when 
it is not deprived of its water of crystallization, but if this be 
driven off, sulphuric acid will act upon it energetically and 
form a compound of a dark reddish brown colour. Nitric 
acid acts in the same way when cold, but with the assistance 
of heat transforms it into oxalic acid. Hydrochloric acid 
changes it into an insoluble whitish substance. When treated 
with of sulphuric acid, and a sufficient quantity of water, 
it is not transformed into sugar, even if boiled for eight or ten 
hours. 
The alkalies as well as concentrated acetic acid dissolve it 
without alteration. Chlorine, bromine, and iodine, act vi- 
gorously upon it, producing a brown resinous substance, inso- 
luble in water, but soluble in alcohol, as well as in the hy- 
dracids corresponding to each of these bodies, with a great 
extrication of heat. 
The tritosulphate of iron forms a brown precipitate with 
it; the tritohydrochlorate of the same metal colours its solu- 
tion of a deep reddish brown, without occasioning any preci- 
pitate. The protosulphate has no action on it, as also all 
the other neutral metallic salts. Subacetate of lead produces 
an abundant white precipitate, which becomes yellowish on 
drying. Chloride of lime colours a solution of phloridzine of 
a bright yellow, which becomes brown in a few days, but 
produces no precipitate. Gelatine does not precipitate it. An 
aqueous solution of chlorine causes a yellow deposit 
