CHEMICAL NEWS, Chemical Notices from Foreign Sources. The University Press. 1913. 275 whole mixture was boiled for twenty minutes, then rapidly | The Atmosphere. By A. J. BERRY, M.A. Cambridge: filtered, and the lead precipitated with hydrogen sulphide. The solution was heated to boiling, then filtered, and the filtrate boiled with precipitated copper oxide for half an hour, rapidly filtered, and the dark blue filtrate concen trated in a vacuum. The copper salt separates in blue crystals shot with violet, in the form of squares or hexagonal plates (2-3 grms.), which can be readily recrystallised from water0.1165 gave 0.0320 CuO. Cu=21.95. 0'2093 gave 16.8 c.c. N2 at 16° and 768 m.m. N=9'48. C10H1604N2Cu requires Cu-2179; N=9.61 per cent. When dried at 100°/10-12 mm., over phosphoric acid, there is no change in weight or colour of the salt. The copper salt thus prepared is very similar in appearance to that of proline, but it contains no water of crystallisation, so that estimation of water and copper in a supposed copper salt of proline is sufficient to exclude the presence of allylglycine. On heating the copper salt of allyglycine, the same odour is noticed as on heating that of proline, but further experiments are necessary to identify the decomposition products. NOTICES OF BOOKS. Laboratory Text-book of Chemistry. By V. SEYMOUR BRYANT, M.A. Part I. London: J. and A. Churchill. 1913. THE advances which have been made in recent years in our knowledge of the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere are described in a very interesting way in this book, which touches upon nearly all the important questions involved in its study. As an introduction the early history and the phlogiston theory are briefly treated, and then the principal constituents of the atmosphere are discussed, short accounts being given of their preparation and properties. In a chapter on modern views on combustion quite recent work is described, and the chapters on the escape of gases from planetary atmospheres and on the probable composition of the atmosphere in early geological time are full of interesting information. Some Organic Soil Constituents. By EDMUND C. SHOREY. NOTICES FROM FOREIGN NOTE.-All degrees of temperature are Centigrade unless otherwise expressed. THIS book contains a course of practical work in elementary One Hundred Simple Exact Mathematical Proofs that the Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l'Academie des Sciences. Vol. clvi., No. 10, March 10, 1913. Direct Hydrogenation of Hydrocinnamic Ethers. Preparation of B-Cyclohexylpropionic Acid. - Paul Sabatier and M. Murat.-When the ethers of hydrocinnamic acid, C6H5.CH2.CH2.COOH, are hydrogenated over active nickel at temperatures between 170° and 185° they are totally transformed into the corresponding ethers of 3-cyclohexylpropionic acid, C6H11.CH2.CH2.COOH. If the temperature is allowed to rise above 200° the results are not good; the hydrogenation leads to the separation of alcohol and acid, which attacks the nickel and reduces its activity. The saponification of the ethers with alcoholic potash gives the potassium salt from which the free acid can be liberated by the addition of dilute sulphuric acid. 3-Cyclohexylpropionic acid is a colourless liquid which boils at 2-68°. Its melting-point is 6°. Chemical Equilibrium in the Action of Hydrochloric Acid Gas on Zinc Sulphate.-Camille Matignon. In the reaction (n+1)ZnSO4(sol.)+2HCl(gas) = =SO3H2.nZnSO4(sol.)+ZnCl2(sol.) the sulphuric acid set free by the action of the HCl gas on the zinc sulphate would combine with the zinc sulphate to give a solid acid substance. This has been verified by experiment, the composition of the silky needles deposited on cooling being represented by ZnSO4.H2SO4. crystals decompose zinc chloride at the ordinary tempera ture, and the decomposition may be complete. The The pressure of dissociation may be determined, and hence it may be calculated that at about 12° the pressure of dissociation of the system is normal. Anhydrous Protosulphides of Alkali Metals.-E. Rengade and N. Costeanu.-The protosulphides of the alkali metals can be obtained by allowing sulphur vapour to react on the fused metal in vacuo and then distilling off the excess of metal. The products are white powders at the ordinary temperature, appearing crystalline under the microscope. They turn yellow when heated. The sulphides are thus less coloured than the oxides, and are also much less soluble in the metal. The solubility increases with the atomic weight. The sulphides are more stable than the corresponding oxides, and do not appear to be affected by light nor by anhydrous ammonia. At the temperature at which glass begins to soften they fuse, turning red, and being converted into persulphides with liberation of metallic vapour. They are very readily oxidised. In the cold sodium sulphide is only slowly attacked by air, while the others rapidly deliquesce. When thrown into water they dissolve with hissing and dis. engagement of heat, but without explosion. Migration of Chlorine in Halogen Ketone Derivatives.-E. E. Blaise.-The hydrolysis of the oxyisobutyric cycloacetal of dichlormethylketone gives two dihalogen isomeric ketones, differing only in the position of the halogen atoms. Thus, a migration must take place during hydrolysis. The transposition product has probably the constitution CH2C1.CO.CHCI.CH3, corresponding to the migration of a chlorine atom from 1 to 3. MISCELLANEOUS. Iron and Steel Institute.-Brussels Meeting, September 1st to 4th, 1913.-The Autumn Meeting of the Iron and Steel Institute will be held in Brussels, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, September 1st to 4th, 1913. In order that proper arrangements may be made, it is necessary that the number likely to take part in the meeting should be ascertained promptly. The provisional programme of the Meeting is as follows: Sunday, August 31.-Secretaries Office opened at the Palais des Académies, Brussels, for the registration of Members' names and the issue of badges and programmes. Monday, September 1.-Opening Meeting in the Hall of the Palais des Académies. A selection of papers will be read and discussed. In the afternoon visits will be made to places of interest in Brussels. In the evening a Reception will be held by the Burgomaster at the Hotel de Ville. Tuesday, September 2.-Meeting in the morning for the reading and discussion of papers, at the Palais des Académies. Afternoon visits to Colonial Museum and the Parc de Tervueren. In the evening it is hoped that His Majesty King Albert will be pleased to receive the Members at the Royal Palace, Brussels. Wednesday, September 3.-A Special Train will leave in the morning for Ghent, where a visit will be paid to the International Exhibition now being held in that City. Thursday, September 4.-Alternative Excursions will be made to Liége and Charleroi. The Liége Excursion will include a visit to the works of Messrs. John Cockerill and Co., Seraing, to the works of the Ougrée-Marihaye Company, and to the Coppée Coke Oven Gas Plant at Athus-Grivegnée. The Excursion to Charleroi will embrace visits to various metallurgical, glass, and other works in the vicinity of that town. The Casting of Magnesium Alloys.-Owing to the affinity of magnesium for oxygen, difficulties arise in casting alloys containing this metal. According to U.S. Patent 1,028,216, of June 4, 1912, Hoffman and Suchy have found that this reaction is mitigated by the addition of a small amount of calcium to the alloy. It is claimed that alloys thus formed may be cast without the formation of either magnesium oxide or nitride, or any other injurious action occurring. For example, magnesium and its alloys, when mixed with from o'1 per cent to o'5 per cent of calcium, flow without the occurrence of burning or the formation of a dark skin on the surface of the metal. The castings, moreover, do not effloresce in air and fill the moulds perfectly, and the property imparted by the calcium is not lost on repeated fusion and casting. The calcium may be applied in the form of calcium oxide or may be added during the electrolytic production of magnesium. No characteristics of a calcium alloy are imparted, as the calcium or calcium oxide is used in such small quantities. Journ. Ind. and Eng. Chemistry, iv., No. 10. Melting-Points of Fire Bricks.—Kanolt (7. Wash. Acad. Sci., ii., 337, No. 14) has determined the meltingpoints of fire bricks, taking as the melting-point the lowest temperature at which a small brick piece could be distinctly seen to flow. The experiments were conducted in an Arsem graphite resistance vacuum furnace, and the samples, which were from 1 to 2 cm. in diameter, were usually enclosed in a refractory tube to protect them from reducing gas and were heated at the rate of about 10° F. per minute when near the melting-point. The temperatures were determined by means of a Morse optical pyrometer of the Holborn-Kurlbaum type. It was found that in the case of certain bricks made of heterogeneous material of relatively low melting-point, the melting-points were slightly higher after six hours' heating to 1550°, apparently as the result of the gradual running together melting-point than the most fusible of the original of dissimilar particles to form a mixture having a higher materials. The results are summarised in the following Melting-Points of Fire Bricks. table : WEDNESDAY, 11th.-Biochemical Society, 8.30. (In the Institute of Physiology, University College, London). THURSDAY, 12th.-Royal Society. "Recent Researches on the Palatine in Relation to Geology, Ethnology, and Physics," by Commendatore Boni. "The Trypanosomes causing Dourine (Mal de Coit or Beschalseuche)," by B. Blacklock and W. Yorke. "Growth and Sporulation of the Benign and Malignant Tertian Malarial Parasites in the Culture Tube and in the Human Host," by J. G. Thomson and D. Thomson. Celluloid Regulations Bills.-The City of London Celluloid Regulations Bill was thrown out on the second reading on May 28th. The House divided on Mr. Baird's motion for the rejection of the Bill, and the voting was as follows:-For the rejection, 127; against, 47; majority | FRIDAY, for the rejection, 80. The London County Council then withdrew the celluloid part of their Bill. 13th.-Physical, 8. "Some Experiments on Tinfoil Contact with Dielectrics," by G. E. Bairsto. "Method of Measuring the Pressure of Light by means of Metal Foils," by G. D. West. AN INTRODUCTION to MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS. By R. A. HOUSTOUN, M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., Lecturer on Physical Optics, and Assistant to the Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow. 8vo. 6s. net. "A book such as this of Dr. Houstoun's has long been needed. The present work will serve as an introduction to a variety of subjects, and the treatment is such that a student with a fair knowledge of the calculus and physics should be able to read it with comparative ease."'-NATURE. Based on Remarks made in the Presidential Address to the British Association at Bristol in 1898. A TEXT-BOOK OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. With 155 Illustra- Cloth, Gilt-lettered Covers for Binding the Half-yearly. tions. Crown 8vo. 6s. 6d. Volumes of the CHEMICAL NEWS may now be obtained. Price1/6 each (post free 1/8). Volumes Bound in Cloth Cases, Lettered and Numbered at 2s. 6d, per volume CHEMICAL NEWS OFFICE. 16, NEWCASTLE ST., FARRINGDON ST., E.C STUDIES Just Published. IN VALENCY. By F. H. LORING. Price 2s. 6d. net. SUMMARY OF General Statement of Valency from the Periodic point | of view. Some suggested Cross Relations between Extreme The Valencies of Zinc, Cadmium, and Mercury. A Periodic Classification of the Elements based upon Geometrical Regularities, and the Idea of Branches at certain Places. CONTENTS. Electricity as a Conditioning Agent (i.) in the Processes Operative in certain Chemical Changes, and (ii.) in certain Primary Forms of Matter. The Study of some Special Groups, or Classifications A Note on the Valencies of Vanadium and Bismuth. With Tables and Diagrams. Post free from any Bookseller, 2%. 8d. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT, and CO., Ltd., NOW READY. GENERAL INDEX TO THE CHEMICAL NEWS, Vols. 1 to 100 (1860 to 1909). Pp. 712. Price £2. (Carriage extra, weight 3 lbs. 9 ozs). PRESS OPINIONS. "It is, without doubt, the finest example of a General Index which has been published in connection with chemistry."-Chemist and Druggist, May 3, 1913. "It is an excellent compilation, and sure to be of great service to chemical readers generally."-Pharmaceutical Journal, May 10, 1913. "The Chemical News is to be congratulated on having had the courage to undertake and the perseverance to carry out a work of this description. The task has been carried out in a thoroughly workmanlike spirit, and as it contains a key to the history of every development in chemistry during the fifty years covered it should prove extremely useful to everyone interested in science.”—Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, May, 23, 1913. Orders should be sent to CHEMICAL NEWS, 16, NEWCASTLE Street, Farringdon Street, LONDON, E.C. PORCELAIN HALDENWANGER Can be obtained from all businesses' which deal in Chemical Apparatus. London: Printed and Published for the Proprietor by EDWIN JOHN DAVEY, at the Office, 16, Newcastle Street, Farringdon Street, E.C June 6, 1913. Edited by AND JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE Sir Wm. Crookes, O.M., F.R.S.] (WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE "CHEMICAL GAZETTE"). Published Weekly. Annual Subscription free by post £1. 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