ETHER. 
Ether when exposed to a cold of —46° freezes and 
rystallizes *. 
Ether is soluble in ten parts of water, according to 
the Count de Lauraguis. 
The action of the simple combustibles on ether has 
not been tried, if we except phosphorus, which it is 
capable of dissolving in small proportion. The solution 
is transparent; but the addition of a little alcohol to it 
renders it milky. This furnishes us with a method of 
ascertaining whether ether be sophisticated with al 
cohol†. 
Ether has no action on metals ; but it revives several 
of the metallic oxides when mixed with their solutions 
in acids. It takes gold from its solution in nitro-mu 
riatic acid. 
It is probable that it has no action on fixed alkalies 
and earths ; but it combines, or at least mixes readily 
with ammonia. 
It absorbs nitrous gas in considerable quantity. 
Sulphuric acid seems capable of converting it into a 
peculiar kind of oil known by the name of sweet oil of 
wine. 
If we fill a bottle, capable of holding three or four 
English pints, with oxy-muriatic acid gas, taking care 
to expel the water as completely as possible, and then 
throw into it about a dram, or half a dram, of good 
ether, covering its mouth immediately with a piece of 
light wood or paper, in a few seconds white vapour will 
be perceived moving circularly in the bottle : this will 
be soon followed by an explosion accompanied with 
* Fourcroy and Vauquelin, Ann. de Chim. xxix. 289. 
Brugnatelli, Ann. de Chim. xxiv. 73. 
203 
Chap. V.