NOTICES OF BOOKS.

A Theoretical and Practical Treatise on the Manufacture
of Sulphuric Acid and Alkali with the Collateral
Branches. By GEORGE LUNGE, Ph.D., F.C.S. Vol. I.
London: J. Van Voorst.

DR. LUNGE has been too long and too favourably known
to the readers of the CHEMICAL NEWS to require any
special introduction on our part as a preliminary to the
notice of his opus magnum. The object of his treatise is
three-fold. It aims in the first place at supplying a full
and accurate account of all the raw materials, products,
and residues of the chemical arts concerned. Secondly,
it is addressed to students of technical chemistry, who
will find here a description both practical and theoretical
of the processes adopted in these manufactures. More
especially, however, it seeks to give manufacturers,
managers, &c., the best information upon the methods
and the working plant which have come under the author's
very extensive observation. Hence it is at once a record
of practical experience and a careful and elaborate com-
pilation, differing, however, from most works of the latter
class by the circumstance that the various processes are
not merely described but ably discussed, and that much
unpublished information is here laid before the reader.
English chemists and manufacturers will find here an
account of certain processes and a statement of certain
facts hitherto little known in this country, and will thus
be enabled to compare point for point their own ways of
working such as are current elsewhere.

Within the limits open to us anything like a full analysis of a work so rich in interesting matter is impossible, and we must confine ourselves to a notice of passages of especial interest. As a curious and important fact we find that, contrary to the usual rule for metals, lead is the more rapidly acted upon by sulphuric acid the purer it is. Small quantities of copper and antimony increase its resisting power, while traces of bismuth have an opposite action.

In the volumetric determination of free acid the author from his own experience recommends tropæolin (00) as an indicator in place of litmus. He objects to oxalic acid for the preparation of normal acid for alkalimetrical purposes; it is rarely pure, its crystalline water is uncertain, and in dilute solutions its stability is very imperfect. For the detection of nitric acid in sulphuric acid the author recommends carbazol, which, with traces of nitrogen oxides, yields an intense and permanent green colour. Turning to the raw materials of the manufacture we still encounter the fact that now, just as was the case seven years ago, the sulphur deposits of Iceland and of Saba remain undeveloped.

The sources and the composition of the various kinds of pyrites now in the market are given at some length. As regards Norwegian ores the statement of H. A. Smith that arsenic is here present to the average amount of 1649 is considered doubtful. The gross inaccuracy of the "Cornish assay" for copper ores is duly noticed. It is not creditable that such a process should still be recognised in a civilised country. In Chili it has long ago, we understand, been formally prohibited for commercial

purposes.

Passing over the long and interesting account of the conversion of sulphur into gas, where almost every variety of kiln used successfully for different kinds of ore is described and figured, we come to the construction of the chambers. Here Dr. Lunge remarks that there is now little diversity of opinion on the question of form, cubical chambers being now very rarely laid out.

The conclu

by experimental evidence. Smith's argument to show that the acid is almost solely formed at or near the bottom of the chamber is found to be fallacious. As a decisive

experiment he had placed two collecting-dishes, one at 4 feet and the other at 16 feet from the chamber floor. After nine days he found, indeed, that the lower dish had collected much more acid than the upper, but he overlooked the fact that an uncovered dish placed near the bottom of the chamber receives not merely the acid formed immediately above it, but also all that is formed in the entire space directly over it, whence the experiment utterly fails to show where the acid is chiefly produced. Hasenclever modified Smith's experiment by fixing dishes at different heights, placing a leaden cover at the height of a foot above each. The quantity of acid formed all over the chamber was then found almost equal. According to Bode a set of chambers of Smith's dimensions was actually erected at the Oker Works, but was found to yield acid not in the ratio of its area, as had been assumed, but of its cubical contents. Hasenclever, in opposing Smith, flies to the opposite extreme and recommends chambers 33 feet in height. Many years experience at the Oker Works have shown that "163 feet width and height have been found the most suitable size." As regards the size of a set of chambers the author considers that the golden mean lies between 200,000 and 130,000 cubic feet. In smaller sets the same labour and auxiliary plant are needed, and the working is consequently relatively less economical. The total space required may range, it is considered, from 16 to 18 and even 20 cubic feet per lb. of sulphur charged. The Glover tower effects a saving in space, and in winter for the same space more pyrites can be burnt than in summer.

The best method of using the nitre, whether in the solid state or as free acid, is next taken into consideration. Here, speaking from memory, we should say that Dr. Lunge has to some extent modified the views which he formerly expressed. He now admits that "the best English works, all of which employ solid nitre, work with as small a consumption of it and as good a yield of vitriol as the best of the Continental works employing liquid nitric acid; and on the Continent as well many manufacturers work quite as well with solid nitre as their neighbours with liquid acid." He states that he would "in no case think of employing nitric acid except where it is made at the works for sale." Solution of nitrate, he considers, would combine every advantage, but it has not yet been successfully introduced.

From the points described as essential to the successful working of a set of chambers, we quote merely the recommendation so to regulate the draught that the burnerfrom pyrites 8.5 per cent SO2, and that the gas issuing at gas, if from brimstone may contain II per cent, and if In Germany, we may remark, the draught is very generally the end should retain 5, or better, 6 per cent of oxidation. regulated according to the indications of gas-analysis, whilst in England it is still too often left to "rule of thumb."

Space does not permit us to enter into the discussion on the working of the Glover tower, one of the most siders it proved both by general experience in England and interesting portions of the whole work. The author conby the direct numerical results obtained by Bode that "the Glover tower remains by far the cheapest apparatus contrivances, and is able to bring up the whole of the for denitrating and concentrating; it saves all cooling against these advantages there is no set-off of a larger acid to 152°, nay, even sometimes up to 160° T. That consumption of nitre has been mentioned previously."

We predict for this work a great success. To the best thorough-going treatise on the subject to be met with in of our knowledge it is the most complete, practical, and any language. Chemical manufacturers, managers, works' sul-chemists, technical students, &c., will find it indispensable.

sions of H. A. Smith that sulphuric acid is formed at heights of 3 to 6, or at most 8 feet, the space above this being substantially wasted, is closely criticised. The statement that 94° C. is the normal temperature for phuric acid making is pronounced entirely unsupported

288

Chemical Notices from Foreign Sources.

Improvements in Sulphuric Acid Manufacture. (Read at
the General Meeting of the Institution of Civil
Engineers of Ireland, April 2, 1879.) By W. G.
STRYPE, C.E. Dublin: Forster and Co.
THE author begins with a complaint concerning the short-
comings of English chemico-technical literature, and
criticises somewhat sharply the works of W. H. Smith,
C. T. Kingzett, and A. G. and C. G. Lock, complaining
that the last-mentioned "does not contain a single che-
mical or mathematical formula!" He next gives a sketch
of an ideal treatise on the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
He then enters upon a description, and takes the CHEMICAL
NEWS to task for having, in a review of the Messrs. Lock's
work, given an unfavourable account of Irish pyrites. He
thinks it "hardly fair that statements should be made in
the absence of proper enquiry." The reviewer, however,
in characterising these pyrites as, " on an average, low in
sulphur and very hard to burn reasonably clean" was
guided by prolonged personal observation, made about
twenty years ago in the Widnes district, and by very
numerous analyses both of the green and burnt ore. If
Mr. Strype will consult Dr. Lunge's recent work he will
find there Irish ore descibed as "too hard and slaty," and
not burning well, and as containing "only 30 to 35 per
cent of sulphur."

On the important question of the supply of moisture to the chambers the author suggests that in preference to "pulverised water," moderately superheated steam should be used. Whether this suggestion has anywhere been put into successful practice we do not learn. The absorbing tower at the Wicklow Chemical Works is next described, but his account cannot be here introduced without the aid of the accompanying plates. The acting apparatus which he has devised for regulating the supply of air to the chambers seems to us a very valuable and desirable feature, and we hope to hear that its success has been confirmed by other observers.

CORRESPONDENCE.

{CHEMICAL NEWS,

June 27, 1879.

The number assigned to chromium in determining the volume of boiling liquids containing that element, obtainable from 22,326 volumes of their gases, is therefore, 22.8. From this number the true formula of crystallised chromium oxide may perhaps be inferred. In Gmelin's "Handbook of Chemistry" its specific gravity is stated to be 5:21. Its molecular weight, 152, divided by that number gives its ebullition volume, 29. If the lowest value for oxygen be taken, viz., 78, the calculated volume of Cr20, is 74 3. Supposing that chromium oxide could be fused and boiled without decomposition, it is hardly conceivable that it should expand from 22 to 74, that is, increase its volume two and a half times. It appears, therefore, more probable that chromium oxide has the formula Cr406, in which case it should have the volume 56; and it is not inconceivable that expansion from 56 to 74 would take place from the known infusibility of chromium oxide.

I had already written the above, but should not have published it had it not been for the very remarkable result since obtained by Victor and Carl Meyer, and published in the Ber. der Deut. Chem. Gesell., xii., p. 1112, in deterself-mining the vapour-density of arsenic trioxide. At a temoxide was found equal to 13.80; the calculated vapourperature of 1560° C. the specific gravity of gaseous arsenious density of As406 is 13 68. The coincidence between the two different methods of experiment and different trains of reasoning surely points to the necessity of a change in the formulæ of the sesquioxides.-I am, &c.,

INDUCTION DISTURBANCES IN TELEPHONE
CIRCUITS.

Glasgow University, June 23, 1879.

WILLIAM RAMSAY.

CHEMICAL NOTICES FROM FOREIGN
SOURCES.

NOTE. All degrees of temperature are Centigrade, unless otherwise expressed.

To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR,-The report of my communication to the Physical Society on June 14, will, I fear, be as unintelligible to your readers as it is to myself. The method suggested is the employment of a shunt consisting of a cell containing platinum plates or wires in very dilute sulphuric acid. The induction currents on the line, having a high potential, Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances, l'Académie escape through the shunt to earth, while some of the telephonic current passes to the telephone. In this way the induction currents are entirely removed, while the sound of the voice is only weakened.-I am, &c.,

ON THE FORMULA OF THE SESQUIOXIDES.

To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR,-In a paper which I read before the Chemical Society in May, "On the Volumes of Liquids at their Boiling points, obtainable from Unit-volumes of their Gases," I gave a determination of the specific gravity of chromyl dichloride, CrO2Cl2, from which the following inferences may, I think, legitimately be drawn. Chromyl dichloride at its boiling-point has the specific gravity 17538. The "ebullition volume" of chromium necessarily depends on those assigned to oxygen and chlorine. From the above

des Sciences. No. 23. June 9, 1879. Bases Derived from Aldol-ammonia.-A. Wurtz.

A description of tricrotonylen-amin and its nitrate, hydrochlorate, chloro-platinates, and chloro-aurates.

Increase of Albuminoid Matters in the Saliva of Albuminuria Patients.-M. Vulpian.—In one case 0'45 of mucin and o'145 of albumin have been found in 1000 grms. of filtered saliva.

The Spectrum of Erbium Nitrate.-Lecoq de Boisbaudran.-Erbium nitrate, if neutral and moderately concentrated, gives an absorption spectrum not differing sensibly from that of the chloride. The presence of an excess of nitric acid produces very distinct changes, which are here particularised.

The Laws of Dispersion.-M. Mouton.-A mathematical paper, not capable of useful abstraction.

The Law of Stokes.-S. Lamansky.-The author concludes from his researches that the law of change in the refrangibility of light holds good perfectly in the general form in which it has been propounded by its author.

NEWS

Absorption Spectra of Alizarin and Certain of its Tinctorial Derivatives.-A. Rosenstiehl.- On com

MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK.

paring the spectra of nitralizarin, of purpurin, and pseudo- SATURDAY, 28th.-Physical, 3. "On a New Polariscope," Prof. W

purpurin with that of alizarin it is easy to follow the effects of the substitution of compound radicals for hydrogen. The violet extremity of the spectrum disappears and the lustre of the violet diminishes in proportion as the

G. Adams. "On the Spirality of Magnetic
Energy," Dr. R. C. Shettle. "On the Conju-
gate Positions of two Circular Coils," W. Grant
On the Distribution of Heat in the Spectrum,'
Sir J. Conroy.

thickness of the coloured stratum augments. The red FRIDAY, July 4.-Geologists' Association, 8.

part not merely retains its brightness but grows broader. An effect still more marked is found on turning to the bisubstituted derivatives of alizarin. The spectrum of pseudo-purpurin, which contains in place of H the group CO2H, is an instance. We see merely a large dark band, which extends from side to side of the ray E and which obliterates all the green portion. The effects of substitution in the molecule of alizarin tend towards the effacement of the details of the spectrum. In proportion as the solution of a colouring matter is seen in greater thickness it appears redder.

Dissociation of Ammonium Sulphide.-R. Engel and M. Moitessier. The authors, in opposition to M. Sainte-Claire Deville, maintain that 2 vols. ammoniacal gas and I vol. hydrogen sulphide combine at common temperatures to form ammonium sulphide, I vol. ammonia remaining free. At elevated temperatures the product is rapidly dissociated, the gaseous mixture at 45° occupying 3 vols. and not 2, as stated by MM. Deville and Troost.

Action of Watery Vapour upon Carbonic Oxide in Presence of Platinum Wire Heated to Redness.-J. Coquillion. The result is a mixture of carbonic acid and watery vapour.

Certain Derivatives of Methyl-eugenol.-M. Wassermann.-The compounds described are the dibromide of mono-bromated methyl-eugenol, methyl-eugetinic acid, mercuro-dimethyl-eugenol, and a product of the oxidation of methyl-eugetinic acid.

An Isomer of Angelic Acid, the Dimethyl-acrylic Acid.-E. Duvillier.-The author admits the justice of M. Miller's reclamation, but points out that he has effected the synthesis of this acid by a novel process.

Localisation of Arsenic in the Brain.-O. Caillol de Poncy and C. Livon.-Arsenic seems to be substituted for the phosphorus of phospho-glyceric acid, thus producing an arsen:o-glyceric acid. Lecithin then is modified so as to contain arsenic in place of phosphorus. Hannoversche Monatsschrift wider die Nahrungsfalscher. Vol. ii., No. 2, February, 1879. Washing-Mixtures.-The author gives analyses of a number of washing-crystals, powders, &c. In one case common salt occurs to the extent of 246 per cent, in addition to 92 per cent sulphate of soda. In others sulphate of soda is found amounting respectively to 22:37 and 219 per cent. The author ventures the inference that the consumption of these articles in any town must vary inversely as the culture of the inhabitants.

American Association for the Advancement of Science.-Dr. H. Carrington Bolton informs us that the twenty-eighth meeting of this Association will be held at Saratoga, N.Y., commencing on Wednesday, August 27, 1879. The following is a list of the Officers of the Saratoga Meeting:-President, George F. Barker, of Philadelphia; Vice-President, Section A, S. P. Langley, of Alleghany; Vice-President, Section B, J. W. Powell, of Washington; Chairman of Permanent Subsection of Chemistry, Ira Remsen, Baltimore; Chairman of Permanent subsection of Microscopy, Edward W. Morley, of Hudson Permanent Secretary, F. W. Putnam, of Cambridge; General Secretary, George Little, of Atlanta; Secretary of Section A, John K. Rees, of St. Louis; Secretary of Section B, A. G. Wetherby, of Cincinnati; Treasurer, William S. Vaux, of Philadelphia.

ERRATA.-P. 276, col. 2, line 27 from top, for q(t+x)=q'(t'+7) real
q(t+x)=q'(t'+y). Line 37, for columns read column."

The

INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY.

he President has offered Two Prizes of £50 each for the two best original investigations involving Gas Analysis. These Prizes will be open to Associates, and to all persons have qualified for the Associateship in all respects short of passing the (except Fellows of the Institute) who shall before the 31st December next prescribed practical examination, and successful competition for these prizes will be accepted in lieu of such practical examination. Further information may be obtained on application to the Secretary, Mr. C. E. GROVES, Somerset House Terrace, W.C.

THE YORKSHIRE COLLEGE.

'he Worshipful Company of Clothworkers of

The

the City of London having increased their Endowment of the
Textile Industry Department of the College so as to include instruc-
tion in Dyeing, the Council of the College is prepared to receive
applications for the post of Instructor; Stipend, £300 a year and half
the Fees. Preference will be given to Candidates who are familiar
with the processes of French and German Dyeing and with the
Methods of Instruction pursued in the Continental Schools. Applica-
tions, accompanied by a statement of the Candidate's experience,
together with copies of Testimonials, to be sent not later than
August 11th to the Secretary of the Yorkshire College, from whom
further information may be obtained. The work of instruction wil
begin in January, 1880.
W. F. HUSBAND, Secretary.

Leeds, June 18th, 1879.

TO PROFESSORS & EXPERIMENTALISTS.

W STONE, Mathematical, Surveying, and

• Optical Instrument Maker, 44, Gloucester Street, Queen's Square, Bloomsbury, works out all kinds of difficult experimental and scientific work.

46

MILLS'S DETACHED" COLORIMETER.

Transparent Colours are measured by moving

a single reflecting surface of white glass; the liquid comes in
contact with glass only; and there is no error from dark meniscus.
Precipitates are made and supported in a suspensory fluid: a black
button is caused to descend through this and vanish, then measuring the
relative weight of the precipitate.

CETTI and CO., BROOKE STREET, E.C.
RGANIC

OR

MATERIA

BY DR. MUTER.

MEDICA.

Analytical Chemists will find this a concise and yet complete book of reference for the isolation and examination of the active principles of drugs. Special appendix on the microscopic characters of the starches in food and drugs. Copious index and qualitative courses or resins, &c.

Published by W. BAXTER at the Office of the South London School
of Pharmacy, Kennington Cross, S.E., and sold by Messrs. Simpkin
and Marshall and Messrs. Baillière, Tindal, and Cox.

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.

Silicates of Soda and Potash in the state of

Soluble glass, or in CONCENTRATED SOLUTION of first
quality, suited for the manufacture of Seap and other purposes,
upplied on best terms by W. GOSSAGE and Sons. Soap
Works, Widnes, Lancashire.

London Agents, COSTE and Co., 19 and 20, Water Lane, Tower
Street, E.C., who hold stock ready for delivery.

A Young Gentleman is open to an Engage- WE the undersigned the Owners respectively

Analytical Chemist desires an Engagement. and for an Injunction to restrain the said Alizarine and Anthracene testimonials. London preferred.-Address, Analyst, Company Limited from manufacturing selling or from offering for 351, Middleton Road, Oldham.

FOR SALE. About 150 tons Monthly of recently were about to institute legal proceedings against Messrs.

INDEX.