NEWS Optical Rotatory Power of Liquids and Dissolved Substances.-O. Hesse.-Translated from the Annalen der Chemie. Action of High Temperatures upon Petroleum, Coal-tar, and Analogous Substances.-Alexandre Letny. The author finds that the more elevated the temperature of the furnace which heats the still, the more the distillate is resinous and difficult to purify. This resinification becomes still more sensible when the flues are higher than the level of the petroleum in the still, in which case the vapours are decomposed by their contact with the heated sides. In the distillation of coal-tar and ozokerite, where it is necessary to avoid decomposition, the still-head and the pipe for the escape of vapours are placed as near as posible to the liquid; otherwise the paraffin would be decomposed. At augmented pressures and at a red heat petroleum is resolved into gaseous compounds. On Ultramarine.-Dr. R. Hoffmann.-Taken from Liebig's Annalen. phurous acid of Schützenberger and Lalande has been proposed for bleaching animal fibres in place of sulphurous acid. The white obtained is, however, not pure: The insoluble ferricyanides are capable of oxidising indigo without the aid of an alkali. Prof. Kopp communicates spectroscopic observations on eleven derivatives of resorcin, which he has just examined. The plates which accompany his memoir, and which represent the spectra of these different compounds, indicate the rays which he considers characteristic of methyl, bromine, iodine, &c., and which are the basis of his analytical method. M. Kopp, having as yet no data on the composition of these products, desires to obtain from tion of his analyses before the publication of his memoir. the manufacturers who have furnished them the verifica Azoic Bodies.-A. Kopp.-We have here an account of Colouring Matters Belonging to the Group of Magdala red, of azo-diphenyl blue, safranin, the chrythe preparation and properties of Bismarck-brown, of soidins, tropæolins, oranges, &c. Poisoning by Mushrooms.-J. A. Palmer. Mushrooms may act as a poison in three different-Sodic and potassic sulphides, or sulphates in presence manners. They may act as an indigestible matter, which is the case with hard, coriaceous species, and may even occur with the edible mushroom when decomposing, as it gives off sulphuretted hydrogen in quantity sufficient to cause vomiting. Or, again, they may be glutinous or acrid. Many Boleti, otherwise innocent, are too gluey to serve as food. Lastly, mushrooms may contain a subtle alkaloid devoid of smell and taste, as happens in the group of the Amanitæ. This compound is known by the name of Amanitin, and to it the fatal cases of mushroom-poisoning are mostly due. No remedy has yet been found. No immdiate effects are produced by this poison, but after eight to fifteen hours the patient experiences stupefaction, nausea, and diarrhoea, followed by delirium and death. Mushrooms containing this poison seem able to communicate it to wholesome species by contact, and it may also be absorbed through the skin. The author was on one occasion seized with alarming symptoms after carrying in this hand some Amanita wrapped in paper. Resists in Calico-printing.-A. Schultz.-A purely technical paper, incapable of useful abstraction. Aniline-black upon Wool and other Textiles.-M. Delory. The author first mordants in 100 grms. each of potassic bichromate and oil of vitriol dissolved in 10 litres of water. The dye-bath he prepares by dissolving 30 grms. aniline hydrochlorate in 9 litres of water at 28°. In another vessel he dissolves 55 grms. potassic bichromate in 1 litre of boiling water, and adds to the hot solution 48 grms. sulphuric acid at 66° B. The solutions are then mixed together. In this liquid the tissues are worked for an hour without heat; the temperature is then raised quickly to 95° to 100°, and kept at that heat for 25 to 30 minutes. At the moment of applying the heat 10 to 12 grms. sulphate of copper are added, previously dissolved. The material is then taken out, washed very well, and taken through an alkaline bath of soap and soda, to which have been added o'2 to 0'5 grm. aniline-violet per litre of water. Historic Notes on the Discovery of Dyeing with Aniline-black.-In these notes M. Girardin, whilst admitting Mr. John Lightfoot's claim as the original discoverer of aniline-black, maintains that a M. Carl Stalars, of Lille, was the first who successfully used the new colour in dyeing under the name of "French black." Poisonous Character of Salts of Copper and the Use of Copper Sulphate in Panification.-A collection of opinions on the innocence of the salts of copper. February, 1879. Glasses Melted with Alkali Alone.-Dr. P. Ebell. of reducing agents, on dissolving in glass at the meltingpoint impart to it a peculiar tint, varying from yellow to brown, and even to a deep red-brown if in sufficient quantity. In certain conditions the same colouration is produced by the introduction of free sulphur into glass, melted and kept at a high temperature. This colouration takes place only in glasses where there is sufficient available alkali to give rise to sulphides. To produce the colour there must be at least I equivalent of base to 2.5 of silica. The base may be lime or baryta, as well as potash or soda. Silicates in igneous flux are solvents for very various bodies, simple or compound. They dissolve free metals, such as gold, copper, silver, and lead; oxides, like chrome, alumina, stannic oxide, magnetic oxide of iron; also salts, such as sulphates, phosphates, aluminofluorides. These bodies are separated out on cooling either in a crystalline or an amorphous state, according to circumstances, and communicate different properties to the glass. The affinity of silica for bases measured by the carbonic acid displaced during fusion is not a constant magnitude, but depends on an action of mass. The quantity of carbonic acid expelled by a given weight of silica is so much the smaller the less alkaline carbonate there is in reaction. Aniline and the Methylated Toluydins and the Colouring Matters thence Derived.-P. Monnet, F. Reverdin, and E. Noelting.—Already noticed. THURSDAY, 3:d.-Royal, 8.30. " Royal Institution, 3. Sound," Prof. Tyndall. Crookes. Industrial Society of Mulhouse.-The hydrosul- SATURDAY, 5th.-Royal Instiution, 3. Haden. "Etching," by Mr. Seymour 138 Advertisements. CHEMICAL NEWS, INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN Claphan, Robert Calvert, F.C.S., Eeas on, near Newcust e-on Tyne. John Attfield, Ph.D., F.C.S. Dugald Campbell, F.C.S. Warren Iela Rue, D,C.L., F.R.S. David Howard, F C.S. A. F. Marreco, F.C.S. F. A. Manning, F.C.S. J. Emerson Reyno'ds, M.D., Thomas Stevenson, M.D., F.C.S. Secretary-C. E. Groves, F.C.S. This Institute has been established to ensure that Consulting and Analytical Chemists are duly qualified for the proper discharge of the duties they undertake by a thorough study of Chemistry ad allied branches of Sci nce in their application to the Aris, Public Health, Agricu ture, and Technical Indu try. NAMES of FELLOWS. Abel, F.A, C. B., F.R.S., F.C.S., Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, 8.E. Acworto, Joseph J., F.C.S., Oakvil e-house, Gravesend Aitkin, Andrew P., D Sc., Edinburgh University Alldred, C.H., F.C.S., 37, Mincing-lane, E.C. Allen, Alfred H., F.C.S., 2, Collegiate-crescent, Sheffield A mstrong, H. E., Ph.D., F.R.S., F.C.S., London Institution, E.C. Baynes, James, jun., F.C S., Kingston-upon Hull Bean, Charles Edward, F.C.S., Brooklyn-house, Shepherd's-bush, W. Bell, J. Carter, F.C.S., Assoc. R.S M., Kersal Clough, Higher Bell, Janes, F.C.S., Laboratory, Somerset-house, W.C. Bell, William Gomm, Assoc. R.S.M., 52, Duchess-road, Birmingham Bischof, Pofessor Gustav. F.C.S., 4, Hart-street, Bloomsbury, W.C. Bowdler, Arthur Clegg, 20, Wellington-str. et, Blackburn Brazier, Professor James Smith, F.C.S., University, Aberdeen Brodie, Sir Benjamin C., F.R.S., F.C.S., Brockham Warren, Surrey Brown, Adrian John F.C.S., Burton-on-Trent Brown, Edwin Ormond, F.C.S., Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, S.E. Bruce, A.C., M A., F.C.S., King Edward School, Birmingham Cameron, Charles A., M.D., F.R.S.C.I., 15, Pembroke-road, Dublin. Cammack, John, 50, Pecker's-hill, Sutton, near St. Helen's Carteighe, Michael, F.C.S., 180, New Bond-street, W. Caswell, Charles Benjan in, F.C.S., 13, George-ro.d, Birmingham Clark, John, Ph.D., F.C.S., 138, Bath-street, Glasgow Cloud, Thomas Charles, Assoc. R.S.M., Walla oo, South Australia Col man, Joseph James, F.C 8., 45, West Nile-Street, Glasgow Darby, Stephen, F.C.S., 140, Leadenball-street Darling, William Howarth, F.C.S., 126, Oxford-street, Manchester Davies, R. Higgins, F.C.S., 6, Bradmore-park-terrace, Goldhawk- Davis, G. E., F.C.S., Dagmar-villa, Heaton Chapel, near Stockport Deacon, Henry Wade, Appleton-house, Widnes De Chaumont, Francis S.B.F., Army Medical School, Netley Dewar, Professor James, F.R.8., Cambridge Dittmar, Professor W., Anderson's College, Glasgow Divers, Professor E., M.D., F.C.S., Yokohama, Japan Dixon, William A., F.C.S., Chemical Laboratory, School of Arts, Dodd, Thomas Henry, F.C.S., Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, S.E. Dougal, Samuel S., Glenpark-villa, Busby Downar, George Frederick, Workington Dreyfus, Charles, 7, Chapel-walks, Manchester Duncan, James, F.C.S., 71, Cromwe l-road, S.W. Dupre, Auguste, Ph.D., F.R.S., Westminster Hospital, S. W. Early, William, Trinity College, Dublin Eltoft, Thomas, F.C.S., 55, Tor.iano-avenue, N.W. Estcourt, Charles, F.C.S., St. James's-square, Manchester Evershed, Frank, 8, Dalrymple-terrace, Glenarm-road, Clapton, E. Fairley, Thomas, F.R.S. E., F.C.S., 16, East-parade, Leeds Farries, Thomas, F.C.S., 16, Coleman-street, E.C. Fenton, Henry J. H., Christ's College, Cambridge Ferguson, John, M.A., F.C.S., University, Glasgow Field, Frederick, F.R.S., F.C.S., Hither-green-lodge, Lewisham, S.E. Foord, George, F.C.S., Royal Mint, Melbourne Foster, Wiliam, B.A., F.C.S., Middlesex Hospital, W. Frankland, Professor E., D.C.L., F.R.S., Royal College of Chemistry, Friswell, R. J., F.C S., 10, Clapton-square, E. Fuller, W. J., F.C.S., Corve-lodge, Greenway-road, Redland, Bristol Galloway, Professor Robert, F.C.S., M.R.I.A., Royal College of Gardner, John, F.C.S., 11, St. Paul's-crescent, Camden-square, N. Gatehouse, James Wright, 36, Broad-street, Bath Gilbert, John Henry, Ph.D., F.R.S., F.C.S., Harpenden, St. Alban's Glover, G. T., F.C.S., 30, Donegall-place, Belfast Gordon, Joseph Gordon, F.C.S., 20, King-street, S.W. Gore, George, LL.D., F.R.S., Islington-row, Edgbaston, Birmingham Greenaway, A. J., F.C.S., 11, Pemberton-gardens, Upp r Holloway, N. Grosjean, B. J., F.C.S., Messrs. Lawes' Chemical Works, Millwall, E. Hake, Henry Wilson, Ph.D., F.C.S., Carlton-chambers, 12, Regent- Holse, William Edward, F.C.3., 21, Mincing-lane, E.C. Harkness, Wiliam, F.C.S., Laboratory, Somerset-house, W.C. Hastings, H. Mitchell, F.C.S., 16, Vicarage-gardens, Kensington. W. Hehner, Otto, F.C.S., 54, Holborn Viaduct, E.C. Helm, Henry James, F.C.S., Laboratory, Somerset-house, W.C. Hill, Alfred, M.D., F.C.S., Birmingham NEWS Hills, Thomas Hyde, F.C.S., 339, Oxford-street, W. Hodges, Frederick, Queen's College, Belfast Hodges, John Freder ck, M.D., F.C.S., Queen's College, Belfast Hopwood, George Marley, F.C.S., Mining De: artment, Melbourne Howard, Davis, F.C.S., Rectory House, Walthamstow, E., and Stratford, E. Howard, Thomas, F.C.S., 52, Swinton street, Gray's-inc-road Hughes, John, 79, Mark-lane, E.C. Page, David, M.D., F.C.S., Netherfield, Kenda'e, Westmoreland Patterson, Thomas Law, F.C.S.. Belmont, Margaret-street, Greenock Pearce, Walter, Maidenhead Pedler, Professor Alexander, F.C.S., Presidency College, Calcutta Huntingdon, Alfred Kirby, A soc. R.S.M., Abbeville-house, Green-hill, Prevost, Edward, Ph.D., F.C.S., Oxford Hurter, Ferdinand, Ph.D., Widnes. Huskisson, Peary Owen, F.C.S., 42, Highbury-park, N. Huson, Charles William, B.Sc, (Lond.), 5, York-buildings, Dale-street, Liverpool Hutchings, William Maynard, Rock Le, Mount Pleasant-road, Lisc rd, Birkenhead Huxley, J. H., Assoc. R.S.M., Crescent road, Sharow, Sheffield Jack on, Edgar Assoc. R.S M., 106, Queen Victor a-street, E.C. Japp, Francis Robert, M.A., Ph.D., F.C.S., 18, Brompton-crescent, South Kensington, W. Jarmain, George, F.C.S., 84, Northga'e, Huddersfield Johnsen, George, Stillingfleet, F.C.S., 11, Saville-row, W. Jo e. E. W. T., F.C.S., Wolverhampton Jones, Francis, F.R.S.E., F.C.S., Gramm r School, Manchester Keene, James Boddely, 38, Hartham-road, Camden-road, N. Kellner, William, Ph.D., F.C.S., Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, S.E. Kinch, Edward, F.C.S., Tok o, Japan King, John Falconer, F.C.S., Edinburgh Kingzett, Charles T., F.C.S., 12, Auriol-road, The Cedars Es'ate, West Kitchen, Archibald, F.C S. 27, King-street, Whitehaven Lawes, John Bennet, F.R.S., F C.S., Rothamstead, St. Albans Leebody, Professor John Robinson, MA., Magee College, Londonderry Liveing, Professor George Downing, M. A., F.C.S., Cambridge Lott, Frank Edward, Assoc. R.S.M., Shapen bill, Burton-on-Trent Lowe, William Foulkes, F.C.S., Assoc. R.8. M., Hough-green, Chester Lyte, Farnhami Maxwell, F C.S., Cotford, Oakhill-road, Putney, S.W. Macadam, Steve ham, Ph.D., F.R.S.E., F.C.S., Edinburgh Mac ear, Jemes, F.C.S., St. Rollox, Gla-gow Mak ne, George Hogarth, F.CS., Walton-on-Thames Manning. F. A, F.C.S., 18, Billit r-s ree, E.C. Marcet, Will am, M.D., FR.S., FC.S., Athenæum (inb, London, W. Marreco, Professor A. F., F.C.S., ollege of Physical Science, Newcastle-on-Tyne Mask lyne, Nevil Story, F.R.S, F.C.S., 112, Gloucester-te race, W. MeLod, Professor Herbe t, F.C.S., Cooper's-hill, Staines Mills,rofessor Edmund J., D.Sc., F.R.S., F.C.S., Anderson's College, Mond, Ludwig, F.C.S., Winnington-hall, Northwich Mo fit, Campbell, P.D., F.C.-., 16, Harley-road, South Hampstead, N.W. Morgan, Thomas M., Victoria College, Jersey Moss, John, F.C.S, 00 High Holborn, W.C. Morrison, Robert Milner, D Se, 13, Douglas-crescent, I dinburgh Muller, Hugo, Pa.D, F.R.S., F.C.S., 110, Bunbi-row, E.C. Newlands, John A. R., F.C.S.. 18, Josephine-avenue, Brixton-rise, S. W. Nicholson, E. Chambers, F.R.., F.C.S., Carlton-house, herne-hill Ouling, Professor W., M.B., F.R.S., F.C.S., 15, Norham-gardens, Odling, Walter, F.C.S., Burton-on-Trent Ogilvie, Thomas Robertson, F.C.S., B.nk-top, Lyle-street, Greenock Price, Astley Paston, Ph.D., FCS, 47, Lincoln's-inn-fields, W.C. R ley, Edward, F.C.S. 148, Finsbury-square, E.C. Roberts, Thomas, 4, A fred road, Hand worth, near Birmingham Robinson, George Carr, F. R.S.E, Laboratory, University, Edinburgh Rochod, Heinrich, Mied esboro-on-Tees Rodwell, Ge rge Farrar, F.C.S., Mariborough College Ronald, Edmund, Pa. D., F.R S.E, Bonning.on-house, Elinburgh Roscoe, Pro essor Heary E, Ph D, F.R.S., F.C.S., Owea's College, Manches.er Rosenthal Gustav., Ph.D., Wandsworth-bridg-wharf, Fulham, S. W. Ryan, Dennis, The Sch of of Medicine, Liverpool Schunck, Edward, Ph.D., F.R S., F.C S., Kersail, near Manchester Se ier, Alfred, M.D., F.C.S., 12, Brownswood-villas, Finsbury-park,N. Thames Smith, Watson, F.C.S., Wilmslow, near Manchester Snelus, George James, F.C.S., Assoc. R.S.M., Workington Sonstadt, E., F.C.S., 2, Osborne-villas, Duncombe-road, Hornseyrise, N. Spiller John, F.C.S., 2, St. Mary's-roa, Cenubury, N. Stenhouse, J., IL.D, F.R.S., F.C.S., 17, Rodney-street, Pentonville, N. Steuart, Daniel Rankin, Broxburn, Scotland Stevenson, James Cochran, M.P., F.C.S., Westoc, South Shields Stewart, A Young, F.C.S, Apothecaries' Hail, Bia k riars, E.C. Swan, Joseph Wilson, F.C.S., Newcastle-on-Ty.e Szczepanowski, S.anisias A. Prus., F.C.S., 6, Stafford-place, Buckingham-gate, s. W. Tate, Alexander Nora an, 7 and 9, Hackins Hey, Liverpool Ta lock, Robert R., F.C.S., 148. Bath street, Glasgow Taylor, James, F.C.S., Farmers' Club, Inns of Court Hotel, Holborn Tichborne, Charles, R.C., M.R.I.A., F.C.S., 40, Mary-street, Dublin Tidy, Charles Meymott, M.B., F.C.S., 3, Mandeville-place, Manchester-square, W. Tilden, Willlam Augustus, D.Sc., F.C.S., Clifton College, Bristol Tucker, Alexander E., Lawn-terrace, Rhymney, South Wales Tuson, Professor Richard V., F.C.S., Royal Veterinary College, N. Versmann, Frederick, Ph.D., 15, Trinity-square, Great Tower-street, E.C. Viccajee, K. R., 10, Churney-road, Bombay Vincent, Chailes, W., F.R.S.E., F.C.S., Royal Institution, Albemarlestreet, W., and 23, Harvest-road, Holloway, N. Voelcker, A. Ph.D., F R.S., 39, Argyle-road, Kensington, W. Walker, John Francis, M.A., F.C.S, Sidney Suss x College, Cambridge, and 16. Gillygate. York Wallace, Willian, Ph.D., F.R.S.E., 133, Path-street, Glasgow. Watts, Alexander, F.C.S., 24, Thackery-street, Liverpool Watson, David, D.Sc., F.C.S., Assoc. R.S.M., Broughton Copper, Watts, John, D.Sc., F.C.S, University Laboratory, Oxford Wills, Thomas. F.C.S., Royal Naval College, Greenwich, S.E. Adair, A., Vale-view, Whitehaven. Bascombe, Frederick, 180, New Bond-street, W. Bayne, James, F.C.S., Roya! Veterinary College, N. Beckett, George Henry, F,C,8., 42, Malvern-road, Dalston, N. Bendix, David, F,C,S., Prince Regent's-wharf, Victoria Docks, 8.F. Billing, Henry Samuel, Messrs, Burnard, Lack, and Alger, Plymouth Chemical Works, Plymouth. Carpenter, Henry Sanders, F,C.S., The Firs, Alton, Hants Clark, William Inglis, B.Sc., Messrs, Luncan, Flockhart, and Co.. Edinburgh, Copley, James, Gregory-street, Nottingham Cowper, Richard, F.C.S., Assoc. R.S.M., 3, The Residences, South Kensington Museum, W. Davey G. W. 8 Hawthorne-terrace, Barking, Essex Davidson, James, jun., Summerville, near Dumfries Dyer, Bernard, F.C.S., 17, Great Tower Street, E.C. Firby, Alfred, 2, Fallowfield-terrace, Leeds Gahan, William Patrick, 56, Walton-street, S.W. Gaskell, Francis, Newnham-lodge, Spring grove, Isleworth Gibson, John, Ph.D., F.R.S.E., 19, Greenhill-gardens, Edinburgh Luff, Arthur Pearson, 13, Lisson-street, Marylebone-road, N.W. Matthews, Charles George, F.C.S., St. John's-lodge, Beckennam Naigamvala, K. D., Elphinstone College Laboratory, Bombay Pearson, Alfred Naylor, 7, Warwick-square, Kensington, W. Senier, Harold, F.C.S., 223, Milkwood-road, Herne-hill, S.E. Thorne, Leonard Temple, Universtats, Wurzburg Laboratorium Walker, Henry Herbert, 344, Glossop-road, Sheffield Williams, P. Caradoc, 6, Parliament-place, Liverpool Fellows and Associates are requested to give notice of Change of Address to the Secretary. March 28, 1879. The Prestolee Alkali Works, Farnworth, near Bolton, Lancashire, fitted with costly Plant, Machinery, and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Soda-ash, Bleaching-powder and Liquor, and Sulphuric Acid, in complete working order, with possession.-Preliminary. MESSRS. FULLER, HORSEY, SONS, and CO. are instructed to SELL by AUCTION, at the Palatine Hotel, Manchester, on Thursday, April 17, at 3 o'clock precisely, in one lot, unless an acceptable offer be previously made by private contract, the PRESTOLEE ALKALI WORKS, a freehold property, having a superficial area of 95,741 square yards of land, subject to chief rents amounting to £407 13s. 9d. per annum, with the buildings, plant, machinery, and apparatus erected thereon, capable of manufacturing monthly a product exceeding in the aggregate 2000 tons of soda-ash, bleaching-powder and liquor (by Weldon's patent process), and sulphuric acid, also caustic soda and muriatic acid. The amount expended in the construction of these works has been very large. A valuation was made with great care in 1874 by Messrs. Holmes and Son, the well-known valuers, of Manchester; their estimate then amounted to £99,900, and since that time a sum exceeding £10,000 has been expended. The whole of the works and plant have been well kept, and are conveniently arranged for working. The Bury, Bolton, and Manchester Canal, which forms one boundary of the property, affords facility for economical water carriage, and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway is within a very short distance. There is a plentiful supply of water for all manufacturing purposes, free of cost, from the river Croal, and coals are raised from pits in the immediate neighbourhood. Pyrites, salt, lime, and limestone are all brought by boats direct to the wharf on the canal. The works may be economically worked with a small capital, as arrangements may be made with the vendors for a very considerable portion of the purchase money to remain upon mortgage. Large profits have been realised in the past, and the high reputation of the Prestolee manufactures in the market will ensure to an energetic man, even at the existing low prices, an ample return for his capital invested and possession of works not surpassed for completeness or compactness by any in the kingdom. May be viewed til the sale. Printed particulars are in course of preparation, and may shortly be had at the Works; at the Palatine and Queens Hotels, Manchester; of Messrs. Wakeman and Bleeck, Solicitors, Warminster; of Messrs Addleshaw and Warburton, Solicitors, Norfolk Street, Manchester; and of Messrs. Fuller, Horsey, Sons, and Co., 11, Billiter Square, London, who are empowered to treat for the disposal by private contract. Prestolee Alkali Works, Farnworth, near Manchester and Bolton.Useful Horses, rolling stock, loose effects, and remaining stock-intrade. MESSRS. FULLER, HORSEY, SONS, and CO. are instructed to SELL by AUCTION, on the PREMISES, Farnworth, near Manchester, on THURSDAY, April 3, at twelve precisely, the ROLLING STOCK, loose materials, and stock-in-trade, including 16 powerful cart horses, four wrought-iron tank trollies, nine lorries, II spring tip and float carts, harness, two cast-iron caustic pots, cast-iron decomposing pot, double-flue Lancashire boiler 7 ft. diameter, 19 ft. 6 long, about 30 tons useful wrought- and cast-iron material, 3 tons lead, brass cocks and taps slate slabs, York stone foundations, new wire netting, useful ash timber spokes and felloes, earthenware aqua fortis jars and packing boxes; also 25 tons soda-ash, 72 carboys rectified oil of vitriol, 300 empty carboys, and numerons other effects.-May be viewed the day preceding the sale, and catalogues had on the premises, of Messrs. Wakeman and Bleeck, Solicitors, Warminster; of Messrs. Addleshaw and Warburton, Solicitors, Norfolk Street, Manchester; and of Messrs. Fuller, Horsey, Sons, and Co., 11, Billiter Square London, E.C., or will be forwarded on application. MR. EDWARD T. BARRETT, ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL AGENT, Gives information without charge to Investors in Stocks and Shares, and conducts the Sale of ALL CLASSES OF SECURITIES Mortgages are also effected for inventors and others at fair rates Mining Chemistry. Advice and nstruction given in all matters of Account. 38 GREAT ST. HELEN'S, E.C. WILLIAM AND WILLIAM T. FIELD, the Celebrated STAFFORDSHIRE BLUE BRICKS, specially adapted for Chemical Plant, i.e., Acid Towers, &c. Also all other kinds of Best Staffordshire Blue Bricks, Pavings, Plynths, Splays, Copings, &c. &c. Prices and samples on Application. MANUFACTURERS of the TESTIMONIAL. "We have used the Blue Staffordshire Brick for Sulphuric Acid Towers, &c., manufactured by Messrs. Field, for the last fifteen years, during which time they have given great satisfaction. We recommend them to the Chemical Trade, believing there is nothing better in the market."-(Signed) WILLIAM HUNT and SONS, Lea Brook Alkali Works, near Wednesbury, Staffordshire, February, 1878. TOLL END BRICK-WORKS, TIPTON, STAFFORDSHIRE. NEWS, wa,} do not pretend to any high degree of accuracy in my THE CHEMICAL NEWS. delineations of the lines; besides the different conditions VOL. XXXIX, No. 1010. BLUE FLAME FROM COMMON SALT. By A. PERCY SMITH, F.C.S., F.I.C. SOME time ago the question was raised in Nature concerning the origin of the blue flame produced when common salt is thrown into a hot fire. Among the suggestions that were advanced, no one offered the only explanation that is at all feasible, viz., that it is due siniply to hydrochloric acid. The blue flame is not produced by sodium chloride only, but by other chlorides as well. Those I have tried areBaCl2, SrCl2, KCl, AmC1, Hg2Cl2, and HCl, the last both in solution and as gas. It would be waste of time and space to enumerate all the experiments I have made on this subject; many of them were for the purpose of proving that neither carbon nor sulphur had any share in the reaction. under which the two were compared might account for considerable variations. For the HCl I used a coil (capable of giving a 2" spark) with a Leyden jar, and worked by 6 Smees. The carbon points were 4-inch apart. The spark was tried both focussed and unfocussed on the slit of a 2-prism spectroscope. When comparing the two spectra side by side it was difficult in some cases to be sure of coincidence, because the flame from the Hg2Cl2 would flash out brilliantly for a moment and quite overpower the more feeble lines of the HCI; it would then disappear entirely, and more chloride would have to be placed on the gauze. I have no doubt in my own mind that HCl is the cause of the blue flame. I have proved that Cl is a necessary constituent, and I have not been able to get it in the absence of hydrogen (the spectrum of pure Cl is very different); and, besides, the red H line is present in both cases, and probably the other two as well. I do not think that the presence of aqueous vapour is sufficient to account for the red line. I subjoin the spectra as I mapped them; but it must be borne in mind that I do not vouch that they are without error. I intend to photograph them when I have sufficient The One of my methods of obtaining the flame was to burn pure hydrogen from a glass jet, and allow a mingled stream of HCl and NH, from two other jets to pass into it. The best source, however, is calomel, heated on wire gauze by a Bunsen burner; the next best AmCl. spectrum of the "chloride" flame is characterised by a series of double bands in the green, blue, and violet, the least refrangible of each pair being the broadest. The four pairs in the violet are especially prominent. There are two red bands or lines and one orange. The least refrangible red line occupies the place of the hydrogen line C. A spark between carbon points in a bottle of HCl gas yields a spectrum similar in appearance to that obtained from a chloride, but I was unable to see any violet bands, only a faint continuous spectrum. I was able to ascertain that the red lines coincided exactly, but I cannot affirm with the same positiveness that all the green lines and bands coincide. Some undoubtedly do; but the spectrum of the HCl was so faint and the spectrum of the chloride so transient that measurements were very difficult, and I I STAND corrected by Prof. Tomlinson thus far, that his paper was received by the Royal Society in September, 1877, and not read, as I previously stated. As regards my description of his paper as one inter.ded to upset my theories and uphold his own, I cannot see that Prof. Tomlinson has to find fault with. In using those words it never occurred to me that any one would emphasise the pronouns my and his, and suppose that I intended to imply he had any personal feeling in the No one who knows Prof. Tomlinson would sup matter. |