134 
NEW HYPONITROUS ETHER. 
tact with the hydrated oxide. In the process recommended 
by Liebig, evidently this contact could not take place ; since 
it was well known that hyponitrous acid could not be obtain- 
ed by subjecting fecula and nitric acid to distillation, and con- 
densing the aeriform products.* 
* The process alluded to -is as follows : — Seven parts of acid, eight 
parts of alcohol, fourteen parts of water, and fourteen of hyponitrite being 
prepared, add seven parts of water to the salt and seven to the acid, and 
allow the mixture to cool. The saline solution and alcohol are introduced 
into a tubulated retort, of which the recurved and tapering beak enters a 
tube, which occupies the axis and descends through the neck of an in- 
verted bell-glass, so as to terminate within a tall phial. Both the tube 
and phial must be surrounded by ice and water. The diluted acid is then 
added gradually. A water-bath, blood-warm, is sufficient to cause all the 
ether to come over. 
Agreeably to another plan, the materials, previously refrigerated by 
ice, are introduced into a bottle, also similarly refrigerated. Under these 
circumstances the ether soon forms a superstratum which may be separat- 
ed by decantation. 
This last mentioned process does not answer so well for the hyponi- 
trite of methyl, on account of the pyroxylic spirit being prone to rise with 
the ether. Yet, the spirit may be separated from the ether by anhydrous 
chloride of calcium. 
