Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-10-16

Aniline-Chemistry Compelling Coal
to give up the Coloring Matter from
the Flowers Of the AntedlluVian
World!
Some years ago German, chemist. ex-
perimenting on coal tar, discovered beau
tiful purple color, but took no particular
notice Of it; he merely jOtted down the fact,
and gave to the color the name of Aniline.
Recently, a young chemist, Mr.. Perkins. of
GreeRford Green, near London, a pupil of
DR.. HOfmann, of the Museum of Praeti-
cal Geology, Jermyn street. was trying to
produce the well known quinine bitter from
Benzole, another substance discovered by
Prof. Faraday to exist in coal products
The hescomposition of quinine and of benzole
was well known, and theory indicated that
the former could be produced from the lat
ter; and so the experiments were begun.
Every one knows how on going for a
country walk we arc often led by some
stray flower or trivial incident 70 60 out of
the path we originally intended to take
So with young Perkins; he started off in
search of quinine, but was arrested by the
beauty of aniline Under his fostering
care, aniline has new become. the parent of
a family of dyes known by the names of
Magenta,j Mauve, SolferinO; two OF the
names of which have been given to the new
TINS from the towns where the recent bat
ties were fous BIT in Italy, about the time of
their discovery.
Several branches Of commerce viii By
the use of the new dyes be so materially
altered that the names of Magenta and
SolferinO will live IN commercial no less
than in political history. The only fine
dye (cochineaD that could be produced of
analogous tints to SolferinO and Magenta
was made from a little "lady-bird insect,
the Coceus Cacti; and in consequence of
scarlet being the national color worn by
the British army. the consumption of eoch-
meal for dyeing cloth has been exceedingly
great, and the importation Of eOehineal an
nually has on an average amounted to about
500 tons, Of the value IF $3.50, 0,000.-I
Thousands of acres of land have been set
apart for the the cultivation Of the cactus.
the plant on which the insect feeds; and
almost numbcrless hands have been en-
Dloyed to trap it when fit to kill. Whole |
ships have been laden with this curious
freight. and vast warehouses in sour docks
nave been appropriated to its housing
All this must soon pass away, and that, at
l rate proportiOnate to the advancement Of
The chemical knowledge of the age COch-
meal is already at discount price in the !
market, for aniline is rapidly taking its
place. As to the mode of preparing ami |
line. we must refer special readers to the |
usual authorities. such as Ure's DictioRG-
~ of Arts. There are few substances
that admit of being prepared in a greater
variety of starting of, however,
fiom the same material, namely, coal tar.
1t is an astonishing fact that these beau
tiful cOlors, produced in our day, are elm
mated from coal-from the plants and
lowers of former ages! The fact that the
glorious sun illumined these flowers. which
olOOmed and passed away before the Del
1ge, clearly shows US how indestructible is
natter, and how perfect the beautiful dyes
If flowers Of former ages again appear in
he form of Aniline.