Page:Experimental researches in chemistry and.djvu/175

160 substance became solid and of a line red colour, which disappeared upon fusion. The odour of the substance with the acid was exceedingly like that of almonds, and it is probable that hydrocyanic acid was formed. When washed with water, it appeared to have undergone little or no change.

Sulphuric acid added to it over mercury exerted a moderate action upon it, little or no heat was evolved, no blackening took place, no sulphurous acid was formed; but the acid became of a light yellow colour, and a portion of a clear colourless fliuid Heated, which appeared to be a product of the action. When separated, it was found to be bright and clear, not affected by water or more sulphuric acid, solidifying at about 34°, and being then white, crystalline, and dendritical. The substance was lighter than water, soluble in alcohol, the solution being precipitated by a small quantity of water, but becoming clear by great excess.

With regard to the composition of this substance, my experiments tend to prove it a binary compound of carbon and hydrogen, two proportionals of the former element being united to one of the latter. The absence of oxygen is proved by the inaction of potassium, and the results obtained when passed through a red-hot tube.

The following is a result obtained when it was passed in