46

Atomic Weight of Lead of Radio-active Origin.

ordinarily call lead. The fact that all the analyses were carried out by the same method, and that each sample gives consistent results, seems to exclude the effect of analytical error. The nature of this admixture it would be perhaps premature to decide. Clearly it has reactions very much like those of lead, if not exactly identical; for the various processes to which our material was subjected would have eliminated any element widely different. Moreover, the fact that protracted purification had no effect on the atomic weight of any one sample is evidence In the same direction.

TABLE IV.-Final Results.

Series 2.-PbCl2 : 2AgCl.
Corrected Corrected

No. From Sami le

of

Series
No. 1. PbCl2.

weight

of fused
PbCla

will be seen that Sample D was the most radic-active, Sample O next, and Samples F and G the least. An old sample of uranium trioxide is included to give an idea of the magnitude of the effect.

Sample of PbC!2.
1.5 g.

Time

TABLE VI.
Time in

in days seconds
elapsed of fall of
since gold-leaf
crystal- with pre-

lisation. paration.

0'2 472

Rate of fall per minute.

0'035 0.261

0.378

0.623

0.769

0'041

0.728

0.803

A word should be said concerning the determination of the radio-activity of these various samples, which is an The determination important item in the consideration. was made by means of a quantitative gold-leaf electroscope of the usual type-a square brass box with mica windows, containing a gold-leaf suspended from a flat rod passing through ambsr. The box was grounded and the electroscope was charged by means of rubbed sealing wax. The material to be investigated was placed on a wooden slide beneath the instrument. The -rays (which alone were studied) were measured, being allowed to come into the box through a screen of thin tinfoil and aluminium foil. In the first place the time taken for the gold-leaf to fall between two definite points in the micrometer eyepiece | of the observing telescope was noticed when no radioactive substance was present; then the times for the various portions were studied under precisely like conditions and compared with the same weight of uranium trioxide. From these times of fall the rates were easily computed, and on subtracting from the rates with radioactive substances, the rate when nothing was present, the comparative values for the various substances were obtained. Immediately after purification, of course, the specimens were practically non-radic-active, because during crystallisation radium E, which is the chief source As is shown of the B-rays, goes into the mother liquor. by the figures for our Sample D at the top of Table VI., the radio-activity of freshly prepared crystals steadily increased in the usual curve until the maximum was attained in about thirty days. Radium E is then in equilibrium with radium Ď. The table gives, in its lower part, a comparison of the radio-activity of the different samples. It

85.0 0.707 0'045
628.0 0'095 0.045 0'050

UO3 standard > 1000
(1) This sample was taken from the impure original lead
chloride from carnotite, as we had received it. The
slightly lower value is probably due to another size
of crystals and the non-radio-active impurities.
Although in general the samples of lead having greater
radic-activity show less atomic weight, the decrease in the
atomic weight is not exactly proportional to the radic-
activity. For example, preparation O (the same material
as preparation R) is distinctly less radio-active than Sample
D, although the atomic weight exhibited by O is decidedly
more divergent from the usual value than that exhibited
by D. The rates of fall for 127 g. of O and D, both
twenty days old, were respectively o'66 and 0.99, whereas
the deficiencies in the atomic weights of these samples
were respectively 0.75 and 0.56. The irregularity suggests
the presence of more than two variables. More data are
clearly necessary for a definite conclusion. The attempt
to explain the relationship will therefore be deferred.

The spectroscopic examination of one of these samples
(Sample D) was conducted with the generous help of
Professor Baxter in his admirable Féry quartz spectro-
graph. Very well-defined photographs of the ultra-violet
portion of the spectrum of our Sample D (after it had been
recovered from an analysis, and therefore contained a
trace of silver) were taken on a film, side by side with
similar photographs of Baxter's purest lead. The paral-
lelism of the two, both as regards the number of lines and
the intensity of the lines was complete throughout the
whole field, from wave-length 04μ to the extreme ultra-
violet visible in this instrument (about o 200μ) except that
the characteristic silver lines 03281μ and 0.3383μ were
clearly depicted and the prominent copper lines o 3248μ
The latter had an in-
and o'3274μ were faintly visible.
tensity corresponding, on a very conservative estimate, to
I part of copper in 100,100 parts of lead, determined by
comparison with the spectrum of lead containing known
traces of copper-an amount far too minute to have any
effect on the atomic weight. The silver doubtless came
from the analytical operations, as already said; and its

CHEMICAL NEWS,
Jan. 22, 1915

}

Philosophical Channels of Alchemical Tradition.

47

manifest appearance is good evidence of the great sensi- | described, and a scheme is given for the identification of tiveness of the spectrometer. No shifting or obvious the commoner organic compounds. The book contains broadening of any of the lines was observed, but it would no superfluous matter whatever, and the directions are not have been possible to see a very slight effect of this always clear and concise; it will undoubtedly be found kind. useful as an introductory practical book by students other than those for whom it is specially intended.

Thus it appears that the lead from radio-active sources, having an atomic weight of 206 6, gives essentially the same ultra-violet spectrum as ordinary lead, having an atomic weight (determined by the same method in parallel analyses) of 207.15.

The Elements of Physical Chemistry. By J. LIVINGSTON
R. MORGAN, Ph.D. Fifth Edition. New York: John
Wiley and Sons, Inc. London: Chapman and Hall,
Ltd. 1914.

The obvious inference to be drawn from this amazing result is that one of four alternatives must hold true. Either the unknown substance, which is mixed with ordinary lead and produces the lower atomic weight, has the same spectrum as lead itself; or else it gives no lines whatever in the ultra-violet range of this photograph; or else the presence of a large bulk of lead hides or aborts thematical as possible, and the needs of the student who is spectrum of the foreign admixture; or else ordinary lead is a similar medley in somewhat different proportions. It is perhaps premature to decide between these alternatives, but all are of interest, the first and last of course being the most revolutionary. (To be continued).

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

ALCHEMICAL SOCIETY.
Ordinary Meeting, January 8, 1915.

Mr. H. STANLey Redgrove, B.Sc., F.C.S., Acting
President, in the Chair.

A HIGHLY interesting paper on "The Philosophical Channels of Alchemical Tradition" was read by Mr. GASTON DE MENGEL.

THIS is a useful general review of physical chemistry, which without going very deeply into any particular branch gives a very clear summary of the whole subject, and prepares the student for the use of more detailed and exhaustive treatises. The treatment is as non-matheworking without a teacher are specially considered. The fifth edition has on the whole been very much enlarged, although certain parts have been curtailed. Thus, the discussions of the phase rule and of colloidal solutions have been restricted, the reader being referred to special works on the subjects for fuller details. The system of notation has been changed throughout, in order that it may agree with that recently adopted by the International Commission for the Unification of Physico-Chemical Symbols.

The Manufacture of Organic Dyestuffs. Authorised Translation from the French of ANDRÉ WAHL, D. ès Sc., by F. W. ATACK, M.Sc. Tech. (Manc.), B.Sc. (Lond.), A.I.C. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd. 1914. THE appearance of a book upon the manufacture of aniline dyes is most opportune at the present moment, and it should be assured of a cordial reception, especially as it is in every way well planned and thoroughly practical. It Mr. De Mengel opened his paper with a description of will be found excellent for technical students, for whom it what he termed the "white" and the "black" traditions, is specially written, and also for practical men, provided their interaction and commingling. Alchemy, he observed, that they have a good general knowledge of organic early came under a ban, owing to its alliance with magic chemistry. The raw materials of the dyestuffs and the -product of the "black" tradition-from which, however, treatment to which they are subjected are first discussed, it soon freed itself. He mentioned various philosophical and the general principles of the reactions by which they soils in which the tree of alchemy had grown, and dealt are converted into the intermediate products are outlined. particularly with Greek philosophy as it flourished in Then the dyestuffs classified according to the chromophore Alexandria in the third century A.D. Alchemy, he con- present are described in full. The application of them is sidered, owed much to Platonism and Neo-platonism-treated only very shortly, but all the details of manufac Plato, through Pythagorism, serving to link Greek free- ture, quantities, costs, &c., are taken from actual thought to the ancient Orphic mysteries and authoritative practice. religion. Its mind, he said, was essentially intuitive; the alchemists were weak in their dialectic, and their experiments or rather their descriptions of them-are not to be relied on. The value of alchemy lay rather in what revelation it might yield us of the esoteric doctrines, imbued with all the fervour of mysticism, and for which it ultimately came to serve as one of the repositories.

The full text of the lecture and a résumé of the discussiun which followed will appear in the January number of the Society's Journal.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

London:

The Effect of the War on Commercial Engagements. By F. GORE-BROWNE, M.A., K.C. London: Jordan and Sons, Ltd. 1914.

GREAT Britain has been so long at peace with all the

Great Powers of the World that there is considerable

ignorance in all circles concerning the laws regarding the relations and contracts of British subjects with alien enemies. This general discussion of the effects of the war upon commercial engagements will be very helpful to the public; it outlines in clear, and as far as possible nontechnical language, the exact state of affairs relating to the position of aliens and the validity of contracts made with them, and a summary is also given of the emergency and orders which were issued.

The Examination of Lubricating Oils. By THOS. B.
STILLMAN, M.Sc., Ph.D. Easton, Pa.: The Chemical
Publishing Co. 1914.

Elementary Practical Chemistry. By J. E. MYERS, M.Sc. legislation and of the proclamations and statutory rules (Vict.) and J. B. FIRTH, M.Sc. (Vict.). Charles Griffin and C., Ltd. 1914. THE material in this book has been carefully selected to suit the requirements of students of medicine and pharmacy. General methods of preparation are first described, so as to give practice in easy manipulation such as precipitation, filtration, &c. Qualitative analysis, including the detection of the constituents in simple mixtures, is then treated, and elementary gravimetric and volumetric work follow, together with a little gas analysis. The chemical reactions of some organic compounds are

THIS book gives a systematic and concise account of methods of testing lubricants of all kinds. Clear directions are given for the performance of the most rapid and simple tests, and different kinds of apparatus are illustrated and their use fully described. The book will probably be found most useful by American chemists, for American

48

Meetings for the Week.

CHEMICAL NEWS
Jan. 22, 1915

methods are chiefly described; for instance, Redwood's | metals. It is a light brown compound of formula viscometer is only briefly alluded to, although a diagram NiBr2 C4H10O. of it is given. An article by P. H. Conradson on Apparatus for the Examination and Study of the Behaviour of Valve and Cylinder Oils and other Petroleum and Lubricating Oils in Saturated and Superheated Steam, Carbon Dioxide, and other Gases, is included.

CHEMICAL NOTICES FROM FOREIGN
SOURCES.

Bulletin de la Société Chimique de France.

Bromination of Benzene, Toluene, and XyleneF. Ducelliez, L. Gay, and A. Raynaud.-Manganese is a very good catalyst for bromination, and can advantageously be used to replace already known catalysts. It furnishes an interesting example of catalytic action on the part of an uncombined metal. Its action does not appear to be attributable to any traces of aluminium it may contain. The homologues of benzene very readily give derivatives containing bromine substituted in the nucleus without the intervention of a catalyst.

Decomposition of Aspyrin by Water.-W. E. Tsakalotos and S. Horsch.-The decomposition of aspyrin by water at the ordinary temperature is very slow; it is Vol. xv.-xvi., No. 15, 1914. complete after about 100 days. Acids (H ions) exercise a Fluorine in Mineral Waters.-Armand Gautier and catalytic influence on this decomposition. It is accelerated P. Clausmann.-Fluorine exists in all mineral waters, by hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, and the acceleration those of eruptive origin being richest in it. Thermal is greater with the stronger acid, hydrochloric acid. sodium bicarbonate waters contain the most fluorine per Acetic acid accelerates the action up to about the eighth litre. Cold calcium sulphate waters, whatever their day and then retards it. Citric acid acts in the same way. superficial origin, may contain about 2 mg. of fluorine per Cis-Caronic Acid and its Derivatives.-R. Locquin. litre. In mineral waters of the same kind the proportion-Cis-caronic acid melts at about 174°, when its melting. of fluorine does not seem to be connected with the tem-point is determined by using a capillary tube heated in a perature, increasing with it, but in waters of the same bath of sulphuric acid, but its instantaneous melting point, origin, whether thermal or not, the quantity of fluorine taken over mercury, is 186°. Terebic acid, with which it generally increases with the salinity. In sea-water the might be confused, always melts at 174°, whether it melts amount of fluorine varies a little with the station and the slowly or quickly. The two acids can also be distindepth; it oscillates about 0.3 mg. per litre. guished by the different melting points of corresponding ethers. The best way to prepare caronic anhydride is to boil cis-caronic acid with excess of acetyl chloride, acetic anhydride, or thionyl chloride. When the mass is distilled the pure anhydride, boiling exactly at 136-137° under 14 mm., is obtained. When a benzene solution of this anhydride is mixed in equimolecular proportions with a benzene solution of aniline the corresponding phenylamido acid is obtained.

Anhydrous Protosulphides of Alkaline Metals. E. Rengade and N. Costeanu.-The authors thought that they would get good results in preparing the protosulphides of alkaline metals by the direct combination of sulphur with a large excess of the metal, which could subsequently be removed by distillation in vacuo. If the sulphides, like the oxides, were soluble in the corresponding metals they would be deposited during the evaporation. The experiment is, however, much less easy to perform with the sulphides than the oxides. Solid sulphur does not appear to react on fused potassium, and hence it is necessary to heat the two substances to 200°-300° in a sealed vacuum tube. The protosulphides are white or slightly yellow at the ordinary temperature. about 300° they become more yellow. They are much less soluble in the corresponding metals than the oxides, and they crystallise with more difficulty. They are more stable than the protoxides and are not affected by light nor decomposed by anhydrous ammonia in the cold. They are very readily oxidised. In the cold sodium proto sulphide is only slowly attacked by damp air, while the others rapidly deliquesce; when thrown into water they dissolve, with evolution of heat.

When heated to

Basic Sulphates of Copper.-MM. Fonzes-Diacon.When a solution of sodium carbonate is poured gently into a constantly stirred solution of copper sulphate, when the solution is rich in the latter a tetrahydrated tetracupric sulphide is formed. As the concentration diminishes a pentacupric sulphate is obtained. Finally, when the sodium carbonate is present in excess it decomposes the basic sulphates, giving the hydrocarbonate of copper. When the supernatant liquid is left exposed to the air carbon dioxide is disengaged and blue tetracupric sulphate containing five molecules of water, or green tetracupric sulphate containing four molecules of water, is deposited according to circumstances.

Preparation of Anhydrous Nickel Bromide and one of its Compounds with Ethyl Oxide.-F. Ducelliez and A. Raynaud.-Anhydrous nickel bromide is easily prepared by the action of an ethereal solution of bromine The action begins at the upon the powdered metal. ordinary temperature, and the metal is rapidly transformed into a brown powder which when heated to 150° furnishes light yellow anhydrous NiBr2, readily soluble in water. As in the case of manganese a compound with ether is formed, which facilitates the union of bromine with these

MISCELLANEOUS.

booklet recently issued by this firm an interesting account Messrs. Read, Holliday, and Sons, Ltd.-In a is given of the foundation and early history of the firm, and their works are shortly described. The firm is one of the most important manufacturers of coal-tar colours and synthetic dyes in Great Britain, and has recently established a department for preparing drugs and fine chemicals, a branch of manufacturing chemistry which has hitherto been much neglected in England.

MONDAY,

TUESDAY,

MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK.

25th.-Royal Society of Arts, 8. (Cantor Lecture). "Oils,
their Production and Manufacture," by Dr. F.
Mollwo Perkin.
26th.-Royal Institution, 3. "Muscle in the Service of
Nerve," by Prof Č. S. Sherrington, F.R.S.
Royal Society of Arts, 4.30. "The Economic De-
velopment of British East Africa and Uganda," by
Major E. H. M. Leggett, R.E., D.S.O.
27th.-Royal Society of Arts, 8. Portrait Painting," by
Hon. John Collier.
28th.-Royal Institution, 3.

WEDNESDAY,

THURSDAY,

"Modern Theories and
Methods in Medicine," by H. G. Plimmer, F.R.S.
Royal Society. "Influence of Salt Concentration
on Hæmolysis," by W W. C. Topley. "The
Life-cycle of Cladocera, with Remarks on the
Physiology of Growth and Reproduction in
Crustacea," by G. Smith. "Investigations on
Protozoa in relation to the Factor limiting
Bacterial Activity in Soil," by T Goodey. "The
Mesodermic Origin and the Fate of the so-called
Mesoctoderm in Petromyzon," by S. Hatta.
"Influence of Direction of Homodromous and
Heterodromous Electric Currents on Transmis-
sion of Excitation in Plant and Animal," by
J. C. Bose.
"Gaseous Explosions," by Dr.

FRIDAY, 29th.-Royal Institution, 9.
Dugald Clerk, F.R.S.
SATURDAY,

"Aerial Navigation-Scientific Principles," by R. T. Glazebrook, C.B., F.R.S., &c.

30th.-Royal Institution, 3.

iv

Advertisements,

CHEMICAL NEWS,

Jan. 22 1915

GENERAL INDEX TO THE CHEMICAL NEWS.

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