SOURCES. given well can be safely used for domestic purposes, Mr. CHEMICAL NOTICES FROM FOREIGN Wanklyn considers that a reply may be obtained from the results of the determination of total solids, of chlorine, of free and albuminoid ammonia, and of poisonous metals, if present. Instructions for these determinations are given in successive chapters and require no further comment, since this portion of the work has not undergone any essential modification. The second part of the book "is more especially designed for those who make analytical chemistry a profession," and contains minute directions for the execution of a complete mineral analysis of a waterresidue. These instructions will be of great service to the chemist who is consulted on the selection of a water supply for any town. This part of the work has been rearranged, modified, and considerably extended. We have, first, a chapter, not found in the earlier editions, on the specific gravity of natural waters. Then follows the determination of the insoluble, and of the soluble solids in the water residue, and of the alkalinity. Here we find an account of an improvement for the details of which the author declares himself indebted to a private communication from Dr. Mohr, and which will be of great use in all cases where very small amounts of alkali in the state of carbonate have to be determined volumetrically. Mr. Wanklyn remarks that the alkalinity of water expressed as grains of carbonate of lime per gallon is almost identical with the insoluble solids. The section on "Hardness" is extended by the addition of a method for the titration of magnesia in drinking waters, the operation being capable of completion within a quarter of an hour. Next follows a chapter on the "General Quantitative Analysis of the Water Residue," under which head we find directions for the determination of sulphates, nitrates, iodates, &c., and phosphates, which latter, however, the author considers can rarely be present except in infinitesimal proportions. In stating the results of an analysis, Mr. Wanklyn disapproves of the method of "stating the quantity of each metal and each acid-radical in a given volume of water," which, he considers, "has the fatal property of masking and concealing most fundamental facts that the analysis should disclose." He holds that "water residues may be looked upon as impure carbonate of lime or impure chloride of sodium." The chapter on the "purification of water" contains much novel and interesting matter. The decomposition, or otherwise the removal, of such bodies as quinine, morphia, and strychnine by passage in solution through charcoal must lead to further results. The chapters on "Gases and Vapours Dissolved by Water" and on Urine and Sewage' are substantially the same as in the last edition. The third part of the work is composed of "Examples of Complete Mineral Analyses," and deals with the water supplies of London, Manchester, Sunderland, Croydon, and Bonn, and with the waters of the Rhine and the Nile. The appendix contains a republication of the original memoirs of Messrs. Wanklyn, Chapman, and Smith, on the action of oxidising agents upon organic substances in alkaline solution, and a reprint of documents bearing on the controversy between the author and Dr. Frankland as to the merits of their respective processes for the analysis of water. To pronounce upon this portion of the book would be an invidious task. We do not like prolonged controversies, and we find that a man with a grievance, however good his case, often comes to be regarded as a bore. But if an author is attacked, and if his reply is excluded from the journal where the attack is published, he can scarcely be blamed for defending himself wherever it is practicable. Nothing, we think, is more certain to find its level than an analytical method. In fine, we must express our opinion that this edition of Mr. Wanklyn's work will meet with even higher and wider approval than its predecessors in accordance with its greatly increased value. NOTE. All degrees of temperature are Centigrade, unless otherwise expressed. at Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances, de l'Acade.ni des Sciences. No. 15, October 9, 1876. Absorption of Free Nitrogen by the Proximate Principles of Vegetables under the Influence of Atmospheric Electricity.-M. Berthelot.-According to experiments which have been made free nitrogen is directly absorbed the ordinary temperature by organic matters under the influence of the electric effluve (Comptes Rendus, lxxxii., p. 1283). This absorption takes place both with pure dry nitrogen and hydrocarbons, a case in which oxygen is totally excluded, and with moist cellulose and dextrin (p. 1357). The author's experiments demonstrate the influence of a natural cause, hitherto scarcely suspected, and nevertheless of great importance for vegetation. When the effects of atmospheric electricity have been taken into consideration, its luminous and violent manifestations, such as thunder and lightning, have been chiefly regarded. Upon whatsoever hypothesis the monia have been exclusively studied. But the author's experiments show a new and hitherto unknown action, which works unceasingly under the most serene sky, and which determines a direct fixation of nitrogen in the principles of the tissues of plants. formation of nitric and nitrous acids or of nitrate of am On Capillary Affinity.-M. E. Chevreul.-The author refers to experiments on this subject described in his earlier writings. He advises all chemists who desire to know the degree of certainty which ought to be attributed to analytical methods to examine both their reagents and the bodies that have been separated with the spectroscope. Action of Boric Acid and of the Alkaline Borates upon Plants.-M. E. Peligot.-The author finds that boric acid and borates of potassa and soda have a destructive action upon vegetables. He therefore doubts the propriety of their use for the preservation of articles of food, and suggests that their action upon animals should be carefully investigated by a commission nominated by the Academy of Sciences. Reciprocal Action of Oxalic Acid and the Monoatomic Alcohols.-A. Cahours and E. Demarcay.-Not suitable for abstraction. Determination of Free Nitrogen in Organic Substances: Chemical Composition of certain Guncottons (Abel's Compressed Gun-cotton, CollodionPaper, and Collodion.-P. Champion and H. Pellet.— The authors have applied to the determination of nitrogen the methods of Pelouze or of Schlosing with an important modification. When nitro compounds are not capable of being carried along by the vapour of water they employ the arrangement which has been suggested by M. F. Jean (Bull. de la Soc. Chim., June, 1876, p. 13). The authors consider compressed gun-cotton, prepared by Abel's method, not as tri-nitro-cellulose, C12H7O73NO5, but as penta-nitro-cellulose, C24H15O155 NO5. They have found the composition of a Russian sample of collodion obtained from M. Carette. A sample of pyroxylised paper only contained two equivalents of nitric acid. Limits within which the Explosion of Fire-Damp is Possible, and on New Properties of Palladium.— M. J. J. Coquillion.-It is difficult to obtain a strong explosion with air and fire-damp on working upon small quantities of gas, as is done in laboratories. I part of fire-damp with 6 of air, and 16 of air with 1 of fire-damp, are the two extreme limits. Palladium wire, even if heated to white-redness, does not fire the most explosive mixtures. 206 Chemical Notices from Foreign Sources. No. 16, October 16, 1876. The session of the Academy was opened by a discourse pronounced by M. Dumas, on occasion of the death of M. C. Sainte-Claire Deville, the well-known mineralogist. Relation of the Two Specific Heats of a Gas.-M. C. Simon. It is concluded that in simple gases the physical molecules remain sensibly invariable in form and dimensions so long as no electric or chemical phenomenon is produced. Etching Action Produced upon Different Metals by the Acids. MM. Tréve and Durassier.-It is known that the action of acids upon metals gives rise to various figures which have been sometimes considered as calculated to throw a light upon the internal structure of the metal. We have had occasion to make certain observations, which seem to show that in the conditions in which we operated the figures are connected, not with the internal structure, but with the external action exerted by the bubbles of gases disengaged during the reaction of the acids. The authors give an illustration representing two horse-shoe magnets which have been plunged into acids, and which are grooved in a regular design, not capable of being made intelligible by a mere description. Compound of Chloral and of Acetic Chloride.-MM. J. Curie and A. Millet.-The result is a liquid heavier than and insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, ether, and glacial acetic acid, boiling without decomposition between 186° and 188°, and containing 62 per cent of chlorine. Sulpho-antimoniuret of Lead found at Arnsberg, in Westphalia.-M. F. Pisani.-This mineral is not a plagionite, as might at first sight be assumed, but a true heteromorphite. Its hardness is 25, and its specific gravity 5.59 to 5'73. Its composition is- CHEMICAL NEWS AlB12, and to the yellow kind C2A13B48. The determinations of the specific heat of boron are hence no longer trustworthy, with the exception of those of Kopp, executed with amorphous boron, the number found being o'254. This multiplied into the atomic weight of boron, 11, gives 2798, a product half as large as that of most other eleAll attempts to obtain pure crystalline boron have been unsuccessful. The author is engaged with an investigation of the purity of amorphous boron as prepared by the method previously employed. ments. Contributions to the Theory of Luminous Flames. Dr. Karl Heumann. In this part of his treatise the author arrives at important results, both theoretical and practical. He shows that the carbon in the flame exists as a solid body, and not, as Frankland assumes, in the state of vapour. He finds that gas-jets of steatite are decidedly preferable to those of iron, since they consume less gas for an equal strength of light. Metallic jets, in general, notably enfeeble the light. He refers to the result obtained by the Commission of the English Board of Trade who reported, in opposition to the view of Vogel, that a refrigeration of the gas does not decrease the amount of light, and considers that they must have experimented with a kind of gas poor in hydrocabons capable of condensation. On the contrary, he finds that if the jet and the outflowing current of gas are both strongly heated the luminous effect is increased to an extraordinary degree. Presence of Guanin in the Urine of Swine.Domenico Pecile. The swine in question had been fed upon bran alone, and was evidently suffering from gout. The author is endeavouring to ascertain the presence or absence of guanin in the urine of healthy swine. MISCELLANEOUS. University of London.—The following is a list of the candidates who have passed the recent B.Sc. examinations:-Pass List.-First Division. John Henry Best, University College; Thomas Capper, Trinity College, Cambridge; John Kent Crow, Owens College; William Hewitt, Royal School of Mines; William Wansbrough Jones, Magdalen College, Oxford; John Frederic Main, Trinity College, Cambridge; Hermann Ludwig Theodor Sack, B.A., private study; Ambrose Robinson Willis, Royal School of Mines. Second Division. Reginald Hargreaves Bulley, Owens College; William Fisher, B.A., King's College; Cecil Reeves Harrison, University College; John Stephenson Jellie, private study; Archibald Prentice Ledward, Owens College: Archibald McAlpine, Royal College of Science, Dublin; George William Mackie, B.A., private study; Henry Major, B.A., private study; James Monckman, Yorkshire College of Science; James Isaac Paddle, B.A., University College; Walter Pearce, St. Mary's Hospital and Royal School of Mines; Bernard Joseph Snell, B.A., New College; Edward Holdsworth Sugden, B.A., Owens and Headingley Colleges; Albert Edward Tovey, private study. Compounds of Phthalic Acid with the Phenols. Adolf Bayer. The first part of a long but interesting memoir. The author treats of fluorescein, its history, preparation, properties, and salts; of diacetyl-fluorescein, dibenzoyl-fluorescein, monoethyl-fluorescein, diethylfluorescein, and chloride of fluorescein. He shows that fluorescein can take up a molecule of water without decomposition, and that two molecules of resorcin can be successively withdrawn from it. He then proceeds to the reduction-product of fluorescein, known as fluorescin, and examines the behaviour of the former body with different reagents, and its substitution-products, including dinitroScience Scholarships. In the Dublin Daily Express, fluorescein, diacetyl-dinitro-fluorescein, the hydrate of Professor Galloway calls attention to a paper on dinitro-fluorescein, and tetra-nitro-fluorescein. He then "Technical Education," read at a recent meeting of the treats of the action of bromine upon fluorescein, and the Iron and Steel Institute by the secretary, Mr. Jones. In production of mono-brom-fluorescein, dibrom-fluorescein, this paper the author said that the Commissioners of the diacetyl-dibrom-fluorescein, and tetra-brom-fluorescein International Exhibition of 1851 have still a surplus of (better known as eosin), the salts of eosin, and erythrin £186,000, and that it had been proposed to expend with its salts. The second chapter of the treatise is de-100,000 of this on a scientific library and on science voted to orcinphthalein, and is taken from an inaugural scholarships to be attached to the Science School at dissertation by E. Fischer. South Kensington. He proposed that it should be distributed amongst the different science colleges and institutions in England. Professor Galloway asks Insh members of Parliament to get this distribution extended to Ireland. He hopes, at least, that a chemical scholarship will be obtained for the College of Science, Dub lin On Boron.-Dr. W. Hampe.-The author shows that the supposed crystalline boron obtained by Wöhler and Sainte-Claire Deville by fusing aluminium with amorphous boron or with boracic acid is not pure boron, but compounds. To the black crystals he assigns the fomula nington Road. Managing Director, DR. Muter. Daily Lectures on the following subjects: CHEMISTRY. MATERIA MEDICA. The students at this college have, he says, never yet been South London School of Pharmacy, 325, Kenequalled at the London University examinations by the students from any of the other colleges in the United Kingdom. They have hitherto invariablyobtained honours in chemistry. In 1870 a University Exhibition was established. It was not awarded in the first two years. The College of Science gained it both in the fifth and seventh years. No other institution has taken it twice, and it has only been gained once by three others-viz., Guy's Hospital, University College, and the School of Mines. The competition for honours is very severe. Sixty students went in this, the seventh, year of the exhibition, and only ten bench. The School has accommodation for 120 Students, and contains an excellent Museum and a very completely fitted Chemical Laboratory for 50 Junior and 20 Senior Pupils, with water and gas at every working For all particulars, enclose a stamped envelope to the Secretary, Mr. W. BAXTER, at his office, Central Public Laboratory, Kennington Cross, London, S.E. passed, and two of such were students, and the only BERNERS COLLEGE of CHEMISTRY, students, from the College of Science. in conjunction with the SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT of the ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. Instruction and preparation in CHEMISTRY and the EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES under the direction of Professor E. V. GARDNER, F.A.S., M.S.A. The Class Rooms are open from 11 to 5 a.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m. daily. Especial facilities for persons preparing for Government and other examinations. Private Pupils will find every convenience. Analyses, Assays, and Practical Investigations connected with Patents, &c., conducted. Prospectuses and full particulars on application to Prof. Gardner at Berner's College, 44, Berners-street, W., or at the Royal Polytechnic Institution. MORRIS TANNENBAUM, 37, FITZROY STREET, offers Jewellers, Mineralogists, Lapidaries, and specially Collectors of Rare Cut Gems (which he possesses in all existing kinds), large Collections of Fine Hyacinths in all Colours Clear Spanish Topazes, Blue and Yellow Amethysts, Jargon Olivine, Fossils, Fine Collections of Shells, Thousands of Indian Pebbles. Polished Agates, &c., Starstones and Catseyes, Garnets, Cape Rubies, Fine Slabs of Lapis Lazuli, Fine Emeralds in the Matrix, Fine Crystallised Rubies and Brazilian Topazes, and Thousands of Rare Opals. Specimens and for Cuttings. Orders efected to all parts of the world. PATENTS.-Mr. Vaughan, F.C.S., British Foreign, and Colonial PATENT AGENT. Special attention given to Inventions relating to Chemistry, Mining, and Metallurgy. Guide to Inventors" Free by Post.-Offices, 67, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., and 8, Houndgate, Darlington. INDIA-RUBBER SPECIALLY PREPARED CHEMICAL PURPOSES. FOR Boots, Gloves, Gauntlets, Aprons, Pure Tube and J. G. INGRAM & SON, Ryall's Chemical Black Lead (Registered) creates no waste or dust by its magnetic adherence to the stove, and the cleanliness of application makes this one of the marvels of household economy.-Sold by all respectable grocers and oilmen in blocks Id., 2d., 4d., and Is. boxes. Works, 94, Little Compton Street, Soho, London. Chemical Technology, or Chemistry in its Applications to the Arts and Manufactures. By THOMAS RICHARDSON and HENRY WATTS. Second Edition, illustrated with numerous Wood Engravings. Vol. I., Parts 1 and 2, price 36s., with more than 400 Illustrations. Nature and Properties of Fuel: Secondary Products obtained from Fuel: Production of Light: Secondary Products of the Gas Manufacture. Vol. I., Part 3, price 338., with more than 300 Illustrations. Vol. I., Part 4, price 21s., 300 Illustrations. Vol. I., Part 5, price 36s. Prussiate of Potash: Oxalic, Tartaric, and Citric Acids, and Appendices containing the latest information, and specifications relating to the materials described in Parts 3 and 4. BAILLIERE AND CO., 20, King William Street, Strand. 208 Advertisements. CHEMICAL NEWS, Nov. 10, 1876. TO AGRICULTURAL MANURE MANUFACTURERS, AND OTHERS. TO BE DISPOSED OF BY VALUATION, AS A GOING CONCERN, THE EXTENSIVE WORKS, MACHINERY, STOCK-IN-TRADE, AND GOOD WILL OF THE HEREFORDSHIRE AND SOUTH WALES MANURE COMPANY, (LIMITED.) The Works are most desirably situated at HOLMER, within the Liberties of the CITY OF HEREFORD and are well adapted for carrying on a Large Trade; and there is a large and increasing demand for Artificial Manures in the County and surrounding Districts. NOVEMBER 6TH, 1876. S. A. SADLER, Apply to MR. T. F. SALMON, the Manager, CLEVELAND CHEMICAL WORKS, MIDDLESBROUGH; Newfall Tar Works, Carlton; and Ammonia Works, Stockton-on-Tees. Manufacturer of Benzole, Toluole, Xylol, Solvent and Burning Naphthas, Carbolic Acid and Disinfecting Powder, Refined Anthracene, Naphthaline, Black Varnish, Refined Tar, Crude Liquid Ammonia, Galvanising Salts, Coal-Tar, Pitch Creosote, Grease, &c., &c. S. A. S. is always a buyer of Coal-Tar Naphthas, Crude Anthracene and all Tar Products. All communications to be addressed to the offices at Middlesbrough. HOLMER, near HEREFOrd. ESTABLISHED 1798. ROBERT DAGLISH & CO., BOILER MAKERS, ENGINEERS, AND MILL-WRIGHTS, BRASS AND IRONFOUnders, ST. HELEN'S FOUNDRY, LANCASHIRE. Makers of every description of Chemical, Colliery, Copper Ore, Gold Mining and Glass Machinery, including Crown, German Sheet, and Plate Glass Plant, as supplied to some of the largest Firms in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Makers of the latest Improved Revolving Black Ash Furnace with Siemens's Patent Gas Arrangement, and as used in the Manufacture of Soda. Improved Valveless Air Engines, and Pumps or Acid Forcing, Air Agitators, Compressors for Collieries, and Weldon's Patent Chlorine Process. Caustic, Chlorate, Decomposing, and Oxalic Pans. Gas Producers for Heating Furnaces. Pyrites Burners for Irish, Norwegian, and Spanish Ores. Photographs, and other information, supplied on receipt of Orders. JOHN GRAHAM, CHEMICAL ENGINEER, FARNWORTH, NEAR MANCHESTER. Plans, Contracts, Estimates, Specifications, and Valuations; Competent Workmen sent to all parts of the Graham's Improved Burner Pipe, a sure preventative against the Destruction of Lead in Towers and Chamber Ends, and a Perfect Remedy against any Escape of Gas. Methylated Spirits.- David Smith Kidd, Licensed Maker, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, N.E. Also FINISH, FUSEL OIL and RECT. NAPHTHA. Water-glass, or Soluble Silicates of Soda and Potash, in large or small quantities, and either solid or in solution, at ROBERT RUMNEY'S, Ardwick Chemical Works, Manchester. NEWS 97. Two other forms of the bulb-apparatus require mentioning. A thin glass bulb was blown 2 inches in diameter (fig. 4). Inside this another bulb was blown 2 inches in diameter, at the end of a glass tube 12 inches long. In this a light glass index with pith terminals was suspended, and the whole was perfectly exhausted. Fig. shows the complete arrangement. In the space between the two bulbs various liquids were enclosed, such as water, solutions of sulphate of copper, alum, perchloride of iron, sulphate of iron, bichromate of potash, sulphate of nickel, &c. These were selected in the hope that amongst them one would be found which would sift out the heat-rays, and so allow me to obtain an action due to light. They, however, only affect the dark or extreme red heat-rays, and do not affect the luminous rays which also have a heating effect. By throwing a beam of sunlight on one of the pith disks powerful repulsion was obtained, |