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CHEMICAL NEWS
April 4, 1863.

Chemical Society-Notices of Books.

sisted of carbonate of lime in rhombic crystals, which
appeared externally to have been modified by heat; they
were friable, and exhibited a green colouration due to
copper. The metallic surfaces in contact with the calc-
spar were partially converted into suboxide of a ruby
colour and crystalline. The copper itself was very im-
pure, containing not less than 128 per cent. of arsenic,
besides small quantities of silver, bismuth, and lead.
Mr. Abel's communication concluded with an explanatory
statement referring to the use of the term "cake copper
in his former paper; he wished it to be understood as
meaning not "tough cake," from which the ordinary
sheet and bolt copper are manufactured, and which always
contains lead, but as referring to blister copper, and to
"best selected," and foreign refined coppers, which com-
mercial qualities seldom contain more than traces of this
metallic impurity.

Dr. ODLING announced that Mr. Crookes had detected thallium in several samples of commercial copper; in consequence of this statement, it would in future be necessary to include this element in the general scheme of examination.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

A Dictionary of Chemistry and the Allied Branches of other
Sciences. Founded on that of the late Dr. Ure. By
HENRY WATTS, B.A., F.C.S. Longmans.

165

edition of "Gmelin's Chemistry" shows, in a striking manner, the inconveniences resulting from the present chaotic condition of organic chemistry. But there is every reason to hope that progress is being made towards a more satisfactory state of things. The new direction which the cultivation of chemical science has of late years taken, is of a kind to justify this hope. It is no longer the chief aim of chemists to acquire a knowledge of new facts, merely as such; the importance and necessity of ascertaining the relations of facts are now becoming generally recognised, and this conviction is exercising an important influence.

But while this path is being explored, and before the hoped-for results of the investigation have been achieved, there is a need for works which will afford information as to the existing knowledge of the science, and during such a transition state there is, perhaps, no way of treating it more appropriate than a Dictionary. One of the earliest Dictionaries of Chemistry was apologised for by its author upon the ground that "the chemistry then known was scarcely entitled to the name of a science, being little more than a collection of facts, the causes of which, and their relations to each other, are so imperfectly understood, that it is not yet capable of either the synthetic or analytic modes of explanation." This remark, which, three-quarters of a century ago, was true with regard to chemistry generally, is almost as applicable at the present time to organic chemistry.

The "Dictionary of Chemistry" now being brought out by Mr. Watts will therefore prove of the greatest serIt is with much pleasure that we are enabled to announce vice, as a repository of information, both to those engaged the publication of the first part of this work, which is to in the cultivation of the science, and to those whose busibe continued in monthly parts until completed. The dic-ness is its practical application. As Editor of the Caventionaries published by Dr. Ure have always been favourite dish Society's edition of "Gmelin," he has, during the works with those engaged in pursuits connected with last ten years, acquired facilities for embodying in the chemical science, and deservedly so, for, in addition to the work the best and most recent information, greater than accuracy and extent of the information they contained, would fall to the share of a less practised writer; and if they were eminently characterised by an elegance of style the number just issued may be taken as representing the and a clearness of exposition which are somewhat rare in whole of the work, it is certain that it will be a most the scientific literature of this country. valuable addition to our scientific literature.

The treatment which many of the subjects receive in this work is of course widely different from that which they received in the last edition of " Dr. Ure's Dictionary." As examples of this may be mentioned the articles on Acids, Alkaloids, Alcohols, which are most excellent expositions of subjects that have not hitherto been treated of in such a comprehensive and systematic manner in any English work. These and similar articles will be inva

The present part of the new issue of this dictionary gives evidence of the maintenance of these important features, and it is a matter for congratulation, both to the publishers and to the public, that the task of reproducing the "Dictionary of Chemistry" should have been placed in the hands of a gentleman who combines, in so high a degree as Mr. Watts, the scientific competence, the literary ability, and the practical experience requisite for its proper performance. It is a necessary consequence not only of the rapid ex-luable to the student. tension of chemical knowledge, but also of the revolu tionary influence of fresh discoveries, that there is no possibility of a treatise on chemistry becoming a classical and standard work for any considerable length of time. The ephemeral character of such works is not only a most striking illustration of the wonderful progress of the science, it is also evidence of a less satisfactory truth-the absence of any sound and well-established basis for the systematic co-ordination of the facts, the principles, and the materials furnished in such overflowing abundance by the labour of chemists.

Little more than fifty or sixty years have elapsed since the period when chemical knowledge was for the first time sufficient to admit of the formation of any settled ideas as to the elementary composition of material substances, and no sooner was this the case than there began to grow up, and to develope with astounding celerity, a branch of chemical knowlege, constituting almost a science within a science -the chemistry of organic substances. This section of chemistry is now so extended, the number and importance of the facts and principles which it comprises, are so great, and there is such an absence of any unquestionable system of classification applicable to them as a whole, that there is a serious difficulty in treating this subject in works either of reference or for the use of students. The English

Having thus expressed the general favourable opinion which a perusal of the first number of the "Dictionary" has produced, it is necessary to remember that it is both the duty and the privilege of critics to find fault. It is not possible to be very hard upon Mr. Watts in the present case, but it is also impossible to overlook the fact that he has adopted in this work a new system of notation, and a new scale of atomic weights. He has done so "in order that the work may, as far as possible, truly represent the present state of scientific chemistry," than which no better reason can be given for so doing. There can be no doubt, however, that Mr. Watts is aware of the fact that some chemists of eminence do not admit that a truthful representation of chemical science requires any alteration of the atomic numbers hitherto in use; and that they even go so far as to question the propriety and utility of the alteration that has been adopted by some chemists in these numbers, and consequently in the formulæ of most substances.

It is quite certain that, consistently with the remarks above made, conservatism in chemistry at the present time would be quite an anomaly; but at the same time it is equally clear that any change introduced in its doctrines should at least have good ground for recognition, even though it may not be generally accepted. In short, mere

166

Notices of Books-Notices of Patents.

innovation should be carefully avoided, and the more convinced the advocates of a new theory may be of its superiority to the prevailing one, the more incumbent it is on them to establish and demonstrate its title to supersede the one hitherto received.

That part of the "Dictionary of Chemistry" in which this subject would be treated of has not yet appeared, so that it will suffice, without expressing any further opinion on this subject, merely to point out the necessity for a thorough elucidation of the grounds on which the new system has been adopted, and to look forward to its appearance in a future part.

There is another innovation of a less radicle nature, which was suggested by Mr. Watts some time ago, in regard to nomenclature, and which it is to be regretted he has not adopted in the "Dictionary." It is the substitution for the terms corresponding to sulphate of copper, chloride of zinc, &c., of the terms copper sulphate, zinc chloride, &c., consistently with the terms ethyl alcohol, phenyl amine, &c. There would be convenience in this change, and the names of salts would be more in accordance with the principles of grammar.

CHEMICAL NEWS,
April 4, 1863.

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479. William Wood, Monkhill, near Pontefract, Yorkshire, "Improvements in the process of manufacturing Pomfret or liquorice cakes, rolls, sticks, and pipes, and other similar articles of confectionery."

521. William Readman, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, N.B., "Improvements in the manufacture of carbonate of magnesia, and of iodine and kelp salt, and other products from kelp."

541. Astley Paston Price, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, "Improvements in the production and manufacture of blue colours."-A communication from Augustus Eisenlohr, Heidelberg, Baden.

543. Peter Spence, Newton Heath, Manchester, "Improvements in the manufacture of potash, alum, and other salts of potash."

579. John Watson Burton, Leeds, " An improved mode of refining and purifying oils."

606. Thomas Henry Morrell, Leyland, Lancashire, and Joseph Williamson, Willcross, Gisburn, Yorkshire, “A new or improved method of purifying the noxious vapours or gases given off from night soil or other similar substances during the heating, drying, or evaporating of such substances."

592. George Davies, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, LonIt is also somewhat to be regretted that acids are treated don, "Improvements in polishing or giving a lustre to of as a class, inasmuch as this course seems, to a certain soap, and in the apparatus employed in such process."extent, inconsistent with the modern views to which Mr. A communication from Adolphe Dupuis, Paris. Watts evidently leans. The old application of the term "acid," as representing a class of substances, is no longer practicable. No definition can be given of acids that is applicable to all the substances which, for other reasons than their characters of acidity, would fall within this class. The use of the term as that of a class is, in fact, a remnant of the old doctrine of specific principles. Acids were united in a class because they were supposed to contain a principle of acidity. Now, that substances are known which, in their chemical relations, are analogous to acids, but which are not acid, the basis of the classification appears in this and in other particulars; and those substances which, in the most marked degree, present the characters formerly attributed to the class, come under the class of salts, as salts of hydrogen.

607. Edward Alfred Wunsch, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, N.B., "Improvements in treating sea-weed, and in apparatus therefor."

611. William Clark, Chancery Lane, London, "Imdis-provements in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and in apparatus for the same."-A communication from Louis Désiré Verstraet and Charles Schmid, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.

Consequently, the definition of acids given at the head of the article Acids must be regarded as having a value more historical than actual; and, in like manner, the definition of alkalies, as being the antithesis of acids, must also be limited in its application to a past state of chemistry. In other respects the sketch of the historic chemistry of acids, alkalies, &c., at the commencement of these articles, is most excellent; and it is to be hoped that the plan of tracing in this way the development and origin of chemical ideas may be adhered to in subsequent parts of the "Dictionary."

Notices to Proceed.

3021. Edward Sonstadt, Stewart Place, Alfred Street South, Nottingham, "Improvements in the manufacture of the metal magnesium."

395. Jules Albert Schlumberger, Golden Square, London, "Improvements in treating coal tar dead oils, and for producing phenic or carbonic acid."-A communication from Jean Jaques Muller, Bale, Switzerland.-Petition recorded February 13, 1863.

3069. Samuel Roberts, Sheffield, "An improvement in frames for containing stoppered bottles and jars."

In conclusion, it may be desirable to mention that Mr. Watts is assisted in the production of the "Dictionary "by" a staff of very able contributors, that the printing and paper of the work are unexceptionable, and that there is no useless sacrifice of space to mere decorative illustrations.

NOTICES OF PATENTS.

Grants of Provisional Protection for Six Months. 399. John Cronin Jeffcott, Anglesey Street, Cork, "Improvements in the production and generation of gases, and also in apparatus connected therewith."-Petitions recorded February 14, 1863.

457. William Trustrum, Marlborough Road, Old Kent Road, Surrey, Improvements in the manufacture of oiled silk."-Petitions recorded February 19, 1863.

475. Edward Thomas Hughes, Chancery Lane, London, "Improvements in the treatment of colouring matters derived from tar for the purpose of making them applicable for painting."-A communication from Barthélemy Dupuy and Antoine Vibert, Lyons, France.

162. Richard Archibald Brooman, Fleet Street, London, Improvements in the manufacture of sulphate of soda for conversion into soda and other uses."-A communication from Germain Adolphe Thibierge, Versailles, France. -Petition recorded January 19, 1863.

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as being remarkably strange was, that the parties at Edinburgh experienced no difficulty of breathing until an hour or two after the occurrence of the accident. It was this that prompted me to write you. In every case that I have known of persons inhaling the fumes of acids, difficulty of breathing, when it did take place, occurred immediately afterwards. However, I think I can show that whatever accidents are caused by this and other acids result from gross carelessness, or otherwise absence of mind. It is passing strange that persons well acquainted with the nature of this gas should be the first to suffer from the effects of inhaling it.

167

and would finally pervade the whole mass of the blood, congestion of the lungs being one of the results of this coagulation.

A strange corroboration of the powerful effect of nitric acid upon the blood, even in minute quantities, happened a short time after, also at Sheffield.

The wife of a workman was suffering from toothache, her husband, with the view of curing or of alleviating her pain, placed two or three drops of nitric acid in the hollow of the tooth, thinking, as he expressed it, to kill the nerve; the consequence was the death of the woman.

Other similar cases, I make no doubt, will be found by medical men supporting the view here put forward, of the dangerous effects of nitric acid upon the mass of the blood when in contact with it.

Now, in the cases of Mr. Stewart and his companion, I feel assured that a wound must have been made during the breakage of the glass; if such wounds, thus produced, are or were found on the bodies, it will at once render the cause of death evident.

The experience of men employed in the manufacture of nitric acid is quite contrary to the idea that the mere breathing of the fumes of this acid for a short time could produce death. I am, &c.

F. TRACHSEL,

Analytical Chemist and Engineer.

Admitting the injurious effects of inhaling these fumes, how can one account for the fact that of all the cases I know of, not one has exhibited alarming symptoms? I could give singly cases without number which have come under my notice. I will, however, take the whole of them together. The men I have known to inhale the fumes of this and other acids must certainly have swallowed a quantity, for they have been confined for several minutes in a perfect atmosphere of gas. Perhaps, however, they did not gape and gulp down wholesale the noxious vapour, which appears to have been the case with several persons. I have noticed the men cough slightly on leaving the notto-be-desired air. I also noticed that each generally took a draught of water or some other kind of drink, and not once did I hear of any of them being attacked by pains of any description. These are facts, and they were not of uncommon occurrence; indeed, they took place day by day for many years, and therefore I think I am warranted in saying what I have done. The idea of Mr. Stewart and the janitor undertaking to wipe the floor and to endeavour to save a portion of the fluid, is to me very preposterous. Stooping, as they must have done, they would catch most of the rising fumes, and if they used a rag or other such article matters would be ten times worse. They could not have been aware that the gas might prove fatal, or if so they were exceedingly thoughtless. Such SIR,-I fully agree with your correspondent, Mr. Swindells, accidents as these would never have taken place had a little forethought and care been exercised.

I did not mean to proclaim that the nitrous fumes were inert. There is moderation in this as well as in other things. It is to be hoped that the sad occurrence at Edinburgh will be the means of making persons so employed use a little more precaution over such matters. Apologising for intruding upon your valuable space, I am, &c. J. H. SWINDELLS.

Meadows Bridge, Wigan.

To the Editor of the CHEMICAL NEWS. SIR,-On reading in your Journal a notice of the deaths at Edinburgh of Mr. Stewart and his assistant, I was forcibly reminded of a similar lamentable case which occurred some years ago to a friend of mine, Mr. James Heywood, Lecturer on Chemistry at Sheffield. His death was occasioned by the breakage of a carboy of mixed acids, nitric and sulphuric, which he used for exciting some voltaic batteries. During the act of pouring out into a jug the acid, he slipped and fell, the glass vessel broke, cutting his hand severely. The pupil who assisted him had his clothes burnt; he was quickly taken to a pump; he did not die. But poor Heywood went home; in a short time his feet became very cold, he felt an increasing difficulty in breathing, and died in the night.

The medical witnesses found a congestion of the lungs, which they attributed to his having inhaled the vapours of the acid.

This explanation is, I think, not the right one, for the circumstance of the cut on the hand was quite overlooked; and yet in that accidental cut we have the real cause of the mischief. We know that nitric acid coagulates blood powerfully. In the present case the coagulation would be propagated by the natural circulation of the blood,

Manchestor.

To the Editor of the CHEMICAL NEWS.

SIR,-Some years ago, after experimenting for some time
with Callan's battery, I was attacked with a sort of pleurisy,
which the doctor (Mr. Nicholls, of Savile Row) attributed
I am, &c.
to the fumes from the battery.
JOHN S. BLOCKEY.

To the Editor of the CHEMICAL NEWS.

as to the lamentable characters of the accident at the Edinburgh Institution, by which the lives of Mr. Stewart and his assistant were sacrificed.

Sad experience, however, makes me differ entirely with him as to the occurrence being singular; and, if not more careful, it would not surprise me to hear of his being the next victim to the deadly power of nitrous acid gas.

The following analogous case in my own works may serve as a warning to him and others who might by his letter be thrown off their guard. Last October at my works at Goole, in Yorkshire, it became needful to clean out a vitriol chamber for repairs. It had been off work for ten days, and was thought to be well ventilated. Some men were sent in, and while cleaning out the accumulated sulphate of lead, nitrous fumes arose freely. The men naturally complained, and my manager, a most worthy and faithful man, whose only fault was a reckless determination always to do his duty whatever the consequences, went in along with them, and continued longest exposed. He came out apparently none the worse, sat down and wrote me his daily letter, in which he detailed the event, merely saying that it was not pleasant. He went home, took tea, dressed, and actually went to a meeting in the town, where he was seized with Mr. Swindells' symptoms of difficulty in breathing, and for twenty-four hours this continued with varying symptoms, followed by violent inflammatory action of the brain, and in about forty hours after the exposure he died. One of the men who had been exposed for a shorter time after a similar attack died the following day. No gas is I am convinced more dangerous, its worst feature being that an exposure deadly in its ultimate result may give its victim no particular uneasiness for some time after he has inhaled a fatal dose. As I write this as a warning to chemists, I hope you will excuse its length. I am, &c. PETER SPENce. Pendleton Alum Works, Newton Heath, Manchester.

168

Miscellaneous-Answers to Correspondents.

Notices of Patents.

To the Editor of the CHEMICAL NEWS. SIR,-In reference to the patent of Mr. Gerland for producing sulphate, &c., of copper by dissolving malachite, the process is old. In 1858, Mr. John Dale, of Cornbrook, Manchester, suggested that it was a more profitable mode of manufacture than any he knew, and likely to prove more practical than an invention I introduced to him. I have myself made sulphate of copper by this plan in the same year; but the difficulty of obtaining a large and constant supply of the carbonate prevented my continuing the process.

As to the patent of Mr. Balmain, the economisation of spent bark, &c., is old as far as the pyroligneous compounds are concerned; and as to the obtaining potash therefrom, I have tried the experiment myself in connexion with a large wood-acid factory, and came to the following conclusion:

That to wash the charcoal spoils it, as it is impracticable to dry it again at a reasonable cost; and that the potash cannot be effectually recovered from charcoal by washing. I have treated charcoal with water, and no potash was extracted; but on burning the charcoal to an ash, the ashes contain soluble potash or its salts.

I am, &c.

Soda in Coal.

JOHN S. BLOCKEY.

To the Editor of the CHEMICAL NEWS. SIR,-I have just seen in the number of the CHEMICAL NEWS for March 28, an article by Mr. E. S. Wayne on the presence of "Soda in Coal." Without in any way wishing to detract from the merit of that gentleman's discovery, I consider it due to my friend Mr. John Horsley, F.C.S., analyst for the county of Gloucester, to state that as I have long been engaged in palæontological studies, Mr. Horsley consulted me last summer on the various opinions extant regarding the locustime and marine character of the plants forming the carboniferous flora, and to know whether soda had yet been found in the ashes of coal.

Mr. Horsley at the same time showed me a specimen of that alkali which he had obtained by operating upon 500 grains of coal ash. The solution of this substance had a powerful reaction on test-paper, and did not produce a crystalline precipitate; on the addition of the bichloride of platinum the dry powder imparted to flame the usual yellow colour indicative of soda.

Mr. Horsley has therefore the merit of priority in the discovery of soda in coal, although he has not yet published his analysis of coal ashes.

I enclose a specimen of this alkaline powder given me by Mr. Horsley, and extracted by him from coal ashes, and which may contain other matters besides soda if it was submitted to further analysis. I am, &c. St. Margaret's Terrace, Cheltenham.

THOMAS WRIGHT, M.D.

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CHEMICAL NEWS, April 4, 1863.

Friday, April 24.-Alex. S. Herschel, Esq., F.C.S., "On Luminous Meteors."

Friday, May 1.-John Leighton, Esq., F.S.A., M.R.I., "On Japanese Art," with native illustrations.

Friday, May 8.-Professor Voelcker, Consulting Chemist of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, "On the Chemical Properties and Productive Powers of the Soils of England."

Friday, May 15.-W. Odling, Esq., M.B., F.R.S. Friday, May 22.-Professor Roscoe, F.C.S., "On the direct Measurement of the Sun's Chemical Action." Friday, May 29.-Professor Max Müller, "On the Vedas, or the Sacred Books of the Hindus." Friday, June 5.-John Ruskin, Esq., "On the Forms of the Stratified Alps of Savoy."

Friday, June 12.-Professor Tyndall, F.R.S., M.R.I. The following are the lecture arrangements after Easter, 1863:-

"On Animal Mechanics;" two concluding lectures. By Professor Marshall, F.R.S. On Tuesdays, April 14 and 21, at Three o'clock.

"On Sound; seven lectures. By Professor Tyndall, F.R.S. On Tuesdays, commencing April 28, at Three o'clock.

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"On the Relations of Geology with Allied Sciences; " nine lectures. By D. T. Ansted, Esq., F.R.S. On Thursdays, commencing April 16, at Three o'clock. "On the Science of Language.' (Second Series.) Six concluding lectures. By Professor Max Müller. Saturdays, commencing April 18, at Three o'clock. "On Electric Telegraphy;" three lectures. By Professor William Thomson, F.R.S. On Saturdays, commencing May 30, at Three o'clock.

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8 p.m.

PATHOLOGICAL-53, Berners Street, Oxford Street. 8 p.m. PHOTOGRAPHIC-King's College, Strand. 8 p.m. 8. Wednesday.

SOCIETY OF ARTS-John Street, Adelphi. 8 p.m. Edwin
P. Alexander, "On the Sewing Machine: its History and
Progress."

GRAPHIC-Flaxman Hall, University College. 8 p.m.
MICROSCOPICAL-King's College, Strand.
8 p.m.
LITERARY FUND-4, Adelphi Terrace. 3 p.m.
ARCHEOLOGICAL-32, Sackville Street. 8.30 p.m.
10. Friday.

ASTRONOMICAL-Somerset House. 8 p.m.
ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE-26, Suffolk Street, Pall Mall.
ROYAL BOTANIC-Inner Circle, Regent's Park.
11. Saturday.

4 p.m.

3.45 p.m.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Barium wishes to know where he can get caustic baryta in quantity. Received.-A Reader; Cavendish.

Norwood Earle.-See CHEMICAL NEWS, No. 167.

C.R.-1. Our time is too much occupied to allow us to make the examination. 2. We know of none. 3. If there were, they might be easily distinguished by the different reactions of chlorine and iodine. 4. We think so.

Erratum.-Article "Potash," Balmain's patent, page 143, for "Larberg" read "Lorberg."

THE CHEMICAL NEWS.

VOL. VII. No. 175.-April 11, 1863.

PREPARATION OF ALCOHOL FROM COAL

GAS.

WHEN we first saw in the newspapers the announcement that "a young French chemist had discovered a process by which alcohol could be made from coal gas with an economy of 60 per cent. over the methods now in use," we confess we felt proud of being connected, however humbly, with a science capable of such marvels. Knowing what had been done for the chemistry of the alcohols by men bearing such names as Hennell, Liebig, Dumas, Gerhardt, Wurtz, and Berthelot, not to mention a host of others, our feelings gradually merged into surprise that it should be reserved for an unknown name to acquire such lustre at one leap. Nevertheless, so authoritative was the announcement that we did not question the fact, but patiently awaited the unveiling of the mystery. Our readers will guess our chagrin when we found that the process was not only not new, but that it was only an attempt to apply in practice the method foreshadowed by Hennell and realised by Berthelot. That it was, in fact, to hydrate olefiant gas by the agency of sulphuric acid.

That sulphuric acid is capable of fulfilling the paradoxical functions of hydrating olefiants, and yet of dehydrating alcohols, according to the conditions of the experiment, we at once admit; and we doubt not that by operating on a sufficiently large scale, alcohol might be prepared by a modification of Berthelot's process in quantity; but that it could be done with an economy of 60 per cent. over the methods at present in use we do not for an instant believe.

Unfortunately the process is not one the economy of which can be tested with the ordinary resources of a laboratory, and we can only therefore found our judgment upon the evidence afforded by the published specification.

M. Cotelle, the patentee, employs several modes of producing intimate contact of coal gas with the sulphuric acid. The first is by means of a pump to discharge the acid in the form of rain into a leaden receiver containing the gas, the second is a more complex method of operating, but on the same principle. The third is to procure absorption by pressure, as in preparing sodawater, and the fourth consists in placing the sulphuric acid in the form of vapour in contact with the gas. The details cannot be given without engravings, and we must therefore refer those of our readers who desire to study

the process to the patent.

The patentee assures us that "except losses which can never be prevented in great concerns, the sulphuric acid that is employed may serve almost indefinitely." To carry out this, it is proposed after diluting the acid which has combined with the olefiant gas, to distil it to obtain the alcohol, and then to concentrate the diluted

1862, July 19, No. 2062.)

acid to the strength required to enable it to act on fresh quantities of gas.

We do not for a moment deny that by proper management of the absorptive apparatus the olefiant may be dissolved in the acid, but we greatly doubt whether more than a very small portion of the dissolved gas becomes converted into alcohol on subsequent dilution. Moreover, we conceive that on concentrating the acid much loss will be incurred, owing to formation of sulphurous acid from the carbonaceous matters, which are, we think, sure to remain with the acid.

The cost of the fuel required to concentrate the highly diluted acid to a state fit for operating on fresh gas will also be considerable.

When we consider also that it will be necessary to have pumps unceasingly at work with sulphuric acid of the strength known as pan acid, and of a density therefore of about 1767, it must be admitted that "wear and tear" of machinery will be a not unimportant item in the expenditure of the "Company Cotelle."

Taking the above objections only, and disregarding the prejudice which will certainly be felt against the employment of coal gas spirit for anything but manufacturing processes, we must admit that we have no faith in the practical utility of M. Cotelle's patent. The specification, moreover, shows no ingenuity; the modes of procuring contact between the acid and the gas are merely those which would suggest themselves to any one giving even a very small amount of attention to the subject, and they constitute the only part of the patent upon which M. Cotelle had the opportunity to exercise his talents, inasmuch as the chemical part of the process had been done previously by others.

Some of our friends have felt alarmed lest to their numerous delinquencies wine merchants should add yet another-the sophistication of wines and spirits with M. Berthelot's hydrated olefiant gas. Let them be tranquil, the chances of such an adulteration being profitable, at least for some years, are very remote.

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On the Composition of Gas-refuse, by Dr. T. L. PHIPSON, F.C.S., &c.

IT has been estimated that one ton of Newcastle coal gives off in distillation as much cyanogen as is contained in five to eight pounds of Prussian blue. As sulphuretted hydrogen is disengaged at the same time in greater or smaller quantities, according to the nature of the coal, it is natural that sulphocyanides should form also. My attention having been lately directed to gasrefuse obtained after eliminating the sulphuretted hydrogen and carbonic acid by hydrated oxide of iron and lime purifiers, I found in this substance certain

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