Page images
PDF
EPUB

tion may be summarised as follows:-The diabases contain regularly a triklinic (triklinen) alkali felspar, which has to be considered as oligoclase; while in addition to that often a lime felspar is found, which is probably labradorite. The second main constituent of diabase is genuine augite, in which the quantity of lime is about equal to that of the magnesia and protoxide of iron. Diabase also contains protoxide of iron-magnesia-chlorite (Eisenoxydul-magnesia-chlorite), the composition of which agrees with the usual formula assigned to chlorite. Titanium-containing magnetic iron and apatite never fail to be present in diabase; while calcite also is a regular constituent of diabase, although it is only present in small quantity. To the genuine diabase, which frequently contains, or is mixed with other minerals, belongs many kinds of rocks usual designated hyperites.

Electrolysis of Itaconic Acid.-G. Aarland.-This essay is divided into the following sections:-Introduction, containing a review of electrolysis as applied to organic substances; preparation of itaconic and mesaconic acids; behaviour of citraconic, itaconic, and mesaconic acids with chloride of iron; detailed account of the

electrolytic experiments, elucidated by a large number of complex

formulæ.

Behaviour of Carbonate of Magnesia towards Gypsum in the Presence of a Solution of Common Salt.-Dr. E. Fleischer. -This paper contains an account of a series of researches made by the author with the view of ascertaining the mutual reactions which take place when the carbonates of lime, magnesia, baryta, and the sulphate of lime are boiled together in water, either pure, or containing common salt. Notwithstanding the comparatively great insolubility of some of these substances, double decompositions take place in some cases amounting to more than 30 per cent.

On Coal-Tar and Coal Tar-Pitch (Asphalte).--Dr. E. A. Behrens.-The first part of an exhaustive monograph; this portion is divided into the following sections:-Coal-tar in general; coal-tar pitch.

Pharmaceutische Zeitschrift für Russland, No. 19, 1872.

In addition to several papers relating to pharmaceutical science' this number contains an interesting memoir :

On Fish Poison.-Dr. A. Casselmann.-It appears that in several parts of the Russian empire cases of poisoning caused by the eating of salt fish, chiefly Accipenser Beluga, a kind of sturgeon, are by no means rare. Chemically, the author cannot find the cause of the origin of this poison, which curiously fails to affect cats and dogs.

No. 20, 1872.

This number contains no original papers relating to chemistry.

No. 21, 1872.

This number contains, in addition to papers relating to pharmaceutical science, the following memoir :

Alkaloids of the Papaveraceæ.-H. Ludwig.-The catalogically arranged enumeration of the alkaloids met with in opium (product of the Papaver Somniferus) and those met with in the Papaver Rhaas.

No. 22, 1872.

The papers published in this number only relate to pharmaceutical science.

Bulletin de la l'Academie Imperiale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg, vol. xviii., No. 1, September, 1872.

The original chemical memoirs in this number have been already noticed (see CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. xxvi., p. 265).

PATENTS.

Communicated by Messrs. VAUGHAN and SON, Patent Agents, 54, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.

GRANTS OF PROVISIONAL PROTECTION FOR SIX

MONTHS.

2181. J. Robey, Manchester, "Improvements in the manufacture of a substitute for animal charcoal, to be used for purifying sewage and various other substances."-Petition recorded July 20, 1872. 2667. E. Ross, St. Mary Axe, London, "An improved method of utilising and giving additional value to the products of the coffeebush."-Petition recorded September 9, 1872.

"The manu

3270. C. Rave, Cureghem-lez-Bruxelles, Belgium, facture from mahogany and other woods of a colouring matter similar to cashoo."-Petition recorded October 18, 1872. 336. H. Page, Market Buildings, Mincing Lane, London, "Improvements in the manufacture of paper-pulp, or half-stuff."-Petition recorded November 16, 1872.

3585. F. M. Lyte, Asnières, France, "Improved process of treating and purifying crude phosphoric acid, and in the production of soluble phosphates; also for the manufacture of phosphorus, and the treat

ment of certain residues resulting therefrom, and phosphate of alumina."-A communication from Henri Storck, Edouard Hentsch, Auguste Hentsch, Andre Lutscher, and Frederic Grininger, Asnières, France.-Petition recorded November 28, 1872.

3609. T. Richardson, J. W. Richardson, and A. Spencer, West Hartlepool, Durham, "Improvements in refining or puddling iron and steel."-Petition recorded November 30, 1872.

3741. W. A. Lyttle, Hammersmith, Middlesex, "Improvements in candles."-Petition recorded December 10, 1872.

3780. P. Love, Bedford, "Improvements in machinery for excavating and treating substances excavated, especially applicable for the conversion of bog-moss or fen into peat for fuel."-Petitions recorded December 13, 1872.

3799. S. Hickson, King's Road, Bedford Row, Middlesex, "Improvements in preserving meat."-Petition recorded December 14, 1872.

3813. A. M. Clarke, Chancery Lane, Middlesex," An improvement in artificial fuel."-A communication from E. F. Loiseau, Pennsylvania, United States of America."-Petition recorded December 16,

1872.

3821. J. L. F. Target, Portsdow Road, Middlesex, "Improved means or apparatus for receiving human excreta, and for distributing, deodorising, or disinfecting powder over the same.

3829. J. F. Lackersteen, Lombard Court, City of London, "Improvements in the manufacture of hydrogen gas." 3830. H. Page, Mincing Lane, London, Improvements in the manufacture of paper-pulp or half-stuff."-Petitions recorded December 17, 1872.

3851. S. Holker, Lumb, Lancaster, "Improvements applicable to the treatment of straw, esparto, wood, and similar substances used in the manufacture of paper."-Petition recorded December 18, 1872. 3853. F. B. Houghton, Southwark, Surrey, "Improved method of, or process for, treating spent hops for the manufacture of paper-pulp.” -Petition recorded December 19, 1872.

3882. W. W. Fereday, Dover Road, Surrey, "Improvements in treating human excreta, and in apparatus for working the excreta and converting the same into a dry and highly-concentrated manure."Petition recorded December 21, 1872.

3889. J. Senior, New Ross, Wexford, Ireland, "An improvement in the process of unhairing and preparing skins or hides to be employed for making or dressing into leather of any kind."-Petition recorded December 23, 1872.

3913. L. A. Badin, New Ormond Street, Middlesex, "Improvements in closets and apparatus for collecting and disinfecting focal matters, and converting the same into manure or human guano."

INVENTIONS PROTECTED FOR SIX MONTHS BY THE DEPOSIT OF COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS. 3843. G. Haseltine, Southampton Buildings, London, "An improved method of, and apparatus for, rendering and drying animal matter, deodorising noxious gases, and treating blood to utilise it for agricultural and similar purposes."-Petition recorded December 18, 1872.

3968. G. T. Bousfield, Sutton, Surrey, "Improvements in the manufacture of steel, and in apparatus employed for this purpose."A communication from T. R. Scowden, Cincinnati, U.S.A.-Petition recorded December 31, 1872.

NOTICES TO PROCEED.

2456. E. T. Hughes, Chancery Lane, London, "Improvements in the manufacture of loaf sugar, and in the machinery or apparatus employed therein."-Petition recorded August 17, 1872.

2491. C. F. Sebille, Paris, Improvements in the composition known as 'schisto-asphaltic and bituminous beton,' and novel applications thereof, together with improved machinery or apparatus in connection therewith."-Petition recorded August 22, 1872.

2528. J. F. Parker and A. Wade, Birmingham, Improvements in the manufacture from coal and petroleum of hydrocarbon gas, or gas for illuminating and heating."-Petition recorded August 26, 1872. 2529. H. A. Dufrené, Paris, "An improved mode of preserving fruit."-A communication from F. Sacc, Neuchatel, Switzerland. 2538. H. Y. D. Scott, Major-General, C.B., Ealing, Middlesex, "Improvements in the treatment of sewage and in the preparation of manures therefrom."-Petitions recorded August 26, 1872.

2805. W. Rath, Plattenburg, Westphalia, " Improvements in annealing and removing of oxide or scale from iron and steel wire and other articles of iron and steel."-Petition recorded September 23, 1872.

3502. T. A. Howland and C. G. McKnight, both of Rhode Island, U.S.A., now of Southampton Buildings, London, "Improvements in the manufacture of gas and in apparatus therefor."-Petition recorded November 22, 1872.

3696. T. Green, Phoenix Chemical Works, Ouseburn, Newcastleon-Tyne, "Improvements in the treatment of bones and other articles, and in apparatus for the same."-Petition recorded December 6, 1872. 3763. R. S. Casson, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, "Improvements in puddling furnaces, heating furnaces, and other reverberatory furnaces used in the manufacture of iron and steel."-A communication from P, A. Dormoy, Troyes, France.-Petition recorded December 11, 1872. 3799. S. Hickson, King's Road, Bedford Row, Middlesex, "Improvements in preserving meat."-Petition recorded December 14, 1872.

PATENTS SEALED.

1984. W. E. Gedge, Strand, Middlesex, "A new or improved process of preparing phosphorus.-A communication from A. Peluche, Paris, France.-Dated July 1, 1872.

2004. W. Thwaites, Brixton, Surrey, and E. Fondeville and G. Bertin, Kentish Town, Middlesex, "Improved composition or admixture for preserving walls from dampness, and for other purposes."Dated July 2, 1872.

2036. E. J. L. Caillot, Barcelona, Spain, "Improvements in the manufacture of lighting and heating gas, and in apparatus and burners connected therewith."-Dated July 5, 1872.

2044. W. Weldon, Putney, Surrey," Improvements relating to the utilisation of dilute chlorine."-Dated July 6, 1872.

2093. J. R. Casbay, Newman Street, Oxford Street, Middlesex, "An improved compound to be applied to the surfaces of wood or metal to preserve the same from corrosion or decay."-Dated July 11, 1872.

2262. T. R. Crampton, Westminster, "Improvements in the manufacture of gas and fuel, and in apparatus to be used for this purpose." -Dated July 29, 1872.

2576. G. Spencer, Cannon Street, London, "Improvements in the purification of coal-gas used for illuminating purposes and for mechanical purposes, and in apparatus therefor."-A communication from E. White, New York, U.S.A.-Dated August 30, 1872.

2614. B. W. Gerland, Macclesfield, Cheshire, "Improvements in the manufacture of phosphoric acid, phosphatic manures, alkaline and other phosphates."-A communication from H. and E. Albert, Biebrich, Germany."-Dated September 3, 1872.

2766. W. E. Newton, Chancery Lane, Middlesex, "Improvements in the preparation of explosive compounds."-A communication from J. H. Norrbin and J. Ohlsson, Stockholm, Sweden.-Dated September 18, 1872.

3309. H. Deacon, Widnes, Lancashire, "Improvements in the manufacture of bleaching-liquor."-Dated November 7, 1872.

[blocks in formation]

BERNERS COLLEGE of CHEMISTRY.—

EXPERIMENTAL MILITARY and NAVAL SCIENCES, under the direction of Professor E. V. GARDNER, F.E.S., &c., of the late Royal Polytechnic Institution and the Royal Naval College. The Laboratory and Class Rooms are open from 11 to 5 a.m., and and from 7 to 10 p.m. daily.

Especial facilities for persons preparing for Government and other examinations.

Private Pupils will find every convenience.

Analyses, Assays, and Practical Investigations connected with Patents, &c., conducted.

For prospectus, &c., apply to Prof. E. V. G., 44, Berners-street, W.

Royal Polytechnic Institution, 309, Regent

Street.-Laboratory (entirely re-fitted) and Class-Rooms are

now open.

PATENTS conducted.

ASSAYS, ANALYSES and Investigations connected with Pupils received for Class and Private Study. Special facilities are offered to persons preparing for GOVERNMENT EXAMINATIONS.

Classes are now forming for Practical Study in CHEMISTRY, STEAM, and PHYSICS.

For particulars, apply to Professor E. V. GARDNER, F.A.S., M.S.A., at the Institution.

THE

NEWS

[blocks in formation]

Progress of the Various Sciences, &c., &c.

London: Offices of the Quarterly Journal of Science, 3, Horse-Shoe Court, Ludgate Hill, E.C.

THE TELEGRAPHIC

JOURNAL

AND ELECTRICAL REVIEW.

Published on the 15th of each month. Price 6d., in coloured wrapper.

No. 3, now ready, contains Articles on the following subjects:International Telegraphy in Time of War.-Mr. Scudamore at Hull.-Telegraphic Batteries.-Propagation of the Instantaneous Current of the Leyden Jar.-Testing the Copper Resistance of Submarine Cables.-Accidental Currents Developed in a Telegraphic Line, one End of which is Insulated in the Air.Amperè's Theory of Magnets.-Action of Powdered Carbon Heaped Around the Negative Electrodes in Carbon Piles.Students' Column.-Proceedings of Societies.-Electrical Science in Foreign Journals.-Correspondence.-Telegraph Share List. -City Notes.-Post-Office Telegraphs.-Notes of Passing Events. -Register of New Patents, &c., &c.

London: HENRY GILLMAN, Boy Court, Ludgate Hill, E.C.

PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY.

Laboratory, 60, Gower Street, Bedford Square, W.C.

Mr. Henry Matthews, F.C.S., is prepared

to give Instruction in all branches of PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY, particularly in its application to MEDICINE, AGRICULTURE, and COMMERCE.

The Laboratory is open daily, except Saturday, from ten to five o'clock; on Saturday, from ten till one o'clock.

Mr. Matthews is also prepared to undertake ANALYSES of every description.

For Particulars and Prospectuses, apply to Mr. Henry Matthews, the Laboratory, 60, Gower Street, Bedford Square, W.C.

THE LIVERPOOL

COLLEGE

CHEMISTRY, 96, DUKE STREET, LIVERPOOL.

OF

[blocks in formation]

Methylated Spirits.- David Smith Kidd. Water-glass, or Soluble Silicates of Soda

Licensed Maker, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, N.E. Also FINISH, FUSEL OIL, and RECT. NAPHTHA.

and Potash, in large or small quantities, and either solid in solution, at KOBERT RUMNEY'S, Ardwick Chemical Works, Manchester.

ог

NEWS

THE

CHEMICAL

action upon a nnmber of substances, princi

CA NEWS. pally inorganic, has been tried, and found to be for the

VOL. XXVII. No. 687.

25 JAN 73

ON THE UNION OF AMMONIA NITRATE WITH ammoniated chromium salts possess considerable stability.

AMMONIA.

By EDWARD DIVERS, M.D.

AMMONIA nitrate deliquesces in ammonia gas at ordinary temperatures and pressures, forming a solution of the salt in liquefied ammonia. To prepare the product it is only requisite to pass dry ammonia gas into a flask containing the dry nitrate, but the condensation proceeds more rapidly if the flask is surrounded with ice.

The liquid obtained varies in composition according to the temperature and pressure. At a temperature of 23°, and the pressure of the atmosphere, it consists of about 4 parts of nitrate to I of ammonia by weight; but under greater pressure, or at lower temperatures, much more ammonia can be condensed by the nitrate. At o° and the pressure of the atmosphere, two parts of nitrate can condense one part of ammonia. The liquid boils when heated, and, when nearly saturated with nitrate, deposits crystals of it when cooled-just like an aqueous solution. It can also, like an aqueous solution, be heated above its boiling point without boiling, and become supersaturated with the salt without crystallising. When poured out into an open vessel, it becomes almost instantly gelatinous in appearance-may, indeed, become so as it falls in a stream from the flask containing it. This effect is due to evaporation of ammonia and solidification of nitrate at the surface of the liquid; on breaking the crust of nitrate, the compound flows out as liquid as ever. It is not caustic to the dry skin. During its decomposition cold is manifested, and during its formation heat is evolved, but not to a great extent, because the heat given out by the liquefaction of the ammonia is nearly all used up in the liquefaction of the nitrate.

The specific gravity of the liquid varies, of course, with its composition. When it consists of two of nitrate to one of ammonia, it has a specific gravity of 1072.5, while it has a specific gravity of nearly 1200 when it consists of four of nitrate to one of ammonia. Its specific gravity can be calculated from its composition, by taking for the purpose 15245 as the specific gravity of the nitrate, and 671 as that of the ammonia. The number 15245 is much less than that expressing the actual density of the nitrate in the solid state, but does not differ very much from its apparent specific gravity in aqueous solution.

In its rate of expansion by heat, the liquid resembles others that exist as such at ordinary temperatures, rather than those that, like ammonia itself, are only retained as such by great pressure. Its expansivity increases with the quantity of ammonia present.

most part like that of ammonia (in the absence of water)
and ammonia nitrate conjoined. The nitrate appears to
undergo double decomposition with most salts, and the
ammonia to unite with nearly all of them, including those
of magnesium, aluminium, iron, and manganese. The
The ammoniated mercuric iodide is resolved by washing
into ammonia and mercuric iodide again. The ammoni-
ated compounds which do not dissolve in the liquid are
very bulky, as observed by Gore in his experiments upon
iodides, bromides are either soluble as Gore has found
ammonia liquefied by pressure. Nitrates, chlorides,
them to be in ammonia alone, or else are decomposed
into soluble chlorides, &c., of ammonium, and insoluble
ammoniated compounds of the metals. Sulphates,
oxalates, chromates, and arsenites are insoluble, and
hydrides do not act upon the liquid with the energy that
phosphates are nearly so. Phosphoric and chromic an-
might be expected, but combine with the ammonia.
Iodine dissolves freely, as it does in ammonia alone
(Gore). Bromine generates nitrogen. Lead salts, in-
cluding sulphate, chloride, iodide, and oxide, are freely
soluble as ammoniated compounds. Platinous chloride
dissolves freely as tetra-ammonio-platinous chloride.
their carbonates decompose the nitrate; so do litharge,
Potassium salts are very sparingly soluble. Alkalies and
lime, and baryta. Calomel is converted into metallic
mercury, and a soluble ammoniated mercuric compound.
Potassium, sodium, zinc, and cadmium dissolve without
liberating gas, by reducing the nitrate to nitrite; potas.
sium inflaming, magnesium slowly dissolves, liberating a
little hydrogen, reducing the nitrate and becoming partly
converted into Beetz's black suboxide of magnesium.
form are sparingly soluble without decomposition. Ether
Methyl iodide is decomposed; butyric ether and chloro-
is insoluble, but by its contact causes the liquid to break
up into its two constituents.

The volume of a mixture of the liquid with water is much less than the sum of the volumes of the liquid and the water, and yet a marked absorption of heat occurs during the admixture. The same thing happens when a concentrated aqueous solution of the nitrate is poured into water, as was first pointed out by Gay-Lussac. Other examples of this remarkable phenomenon have been observed by different chemists, and it has received various explanations. F. Mohr considers that heat is used up in the depression of the freezing-point of the water caused by the salt. As this depression of the freezingpoint is probably attended by an increase in the latent heat of the water, his explanation appears to be the correct one. Thomsen finds the specific heat of the mixture to be less than the mean of the specific heats of its

components.

Abstract of a Paper read before the Royal Society.

ing at the negative electrode, and nitrogen and ammonia It is a good electrolyte, ammonia and hydrogen appear. nitrate at the positive electrode. Its decomposition may be thus represented :—

+

H3 and 3NH3 N and 3NO3HNH3(=3NO3+4NH3). Positive electrodes of silver, lead, copper, zinc, and mag. nesium are dissolved by the liquid as (ammoniated) nitrates. A positive electrode of mercury is converted into a compound almost insoluble in the liquid. When the electrode is acted upon, the generation of nitrogen does not take place.

ON CERULIGNON, A BY-PRODUCT OF THE
INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURE OF

WOOD-VINEGAR.

By C. LIEBERMANN.

CERULIGNON is the name given to a new substance, of a blue colour, first observed during the industrial purification of crude pyroligneous acid in the works of Herr Th. Lettenmayer, at Königsbronn. I obtained a small sample of coerulignon through the kindness of Privy Councillor Dr. V. Fehling and Professor V. Meyer, who had observed that it dissolved in strong sulphuric acid, and was of a beautiful blue colour similar to that of the flowers of Carduus Benedictus. A larger sample having been forwarded to me by Herr Lettenmayer, I have been able to make an investigation of this substance, and to communicate the following details concerning its discovery and prepara tion:

The crude acetate of lime, obtained by the saturation of | the raw pyroligneous acid, is dried, in order to prepare wood-spirit (crude methyl-alcohol), and then, having been mixed with a sufficient quantity of hydrochloric acid, it is placed in stills, in order to separate the acetic acid. When this is mixed with a small quantity of a solution of bichromate of potassa, and left quietly standing for a while at the ordinary temperature, a blue-coloured film is gradually formed on the surface of the liquid, which, becoming more dense, forms gradually a violet-coloured sediment; this is the raw coerulignon, which may be further purified by lixiviation with water. Viewed by the microscope, this substance is found to consist of small needle-shaped crystals, soluble in concentrated sulphuric acid, exhibiting a blue-coloured solution, from which, however, the substance cannot again be separated unaltered.

On being heated with caustic potassa solution, cœrulignon shows the following reactions:-At first the liquid assumes a green colour, which rapidly turns yellow; when it is evaporated and concentrated to the fusion-point of the potassa, the brown-coloured mass, when treated with water, yields a very deep violet-coloured solution, which, however, is not permanent, but akin to the alkaline solutions of logwood. The coerulignon has hereby become converted into other compounds, which are with great difficulty isolated. The fact that coerulignon is quite insoluble in all other solvents, and is, besides, neither sublimable nor distillable without decomposition by the aid of heat, made the purification of this substance rather difficult; it had been found still to contain a good deal of ash after the lixiviation process. I discovered, however, that phenol dissolves cœrulignon at the ordinary temperature, and produces a red-coloured solution, which, on being filtered, yields, by the addition of either alcohol or ether, a deep steel-blue coloured precipitate, consisting of very small needle-shaped crystals; and these crystals, after having been washed with either alcohol or ether, constitute pure cœrulignon, the chemical composition of which may be expressed by either of the two following formulæ :-C15H1406 or C30H30012.

Coerulignon is a very stable compound, and nearly insoluble in all menstrua; it is not a dye, nor a pigment, and does not impart colour to fabrics either by itself or by the aid of mordants. It combines with glacial acetic acid (the anhydride), forming a colourless crystalline product; strong nitric acid converts it into oxalic acid. When cœrulignon is heated with hydriodic acid and amorphous phosphorus to 160°, the result is the formation of the pigment referred to when the potassa reaction was spoken of. This pigment dissolves in ether, producing a colourless solution, which, on being evaporated in vacuo, yields an amorphous mass. When this is treated with alkaline solutions, it exhibits a beautiful colouration, but one which rapidly fades.

vinegar makers is, that the cœrulignon is separated with several other substances, while the quantity of the material from which it is generated in the crude wood-vinegar is not small. It has not yet been ascertained whether all kinds of wood yield this compound. The wood used at Königsbronn is beech and birch, and by the dry distillation these both yield cœrulignon; but I have also found this body in crude wood-vinegars, the origin of which, as regards the wood employed, is unknown to me.

Since I obtained the coerulignon quite free from ash, thus proving that it is not a coloured lake, the idea has struck me that it is perhaps formed by the oxidising action of the bichromate of potassa upon some substance present in the crude wood-vinegar, and I therefore tried to recover that body by the reduction of the cœrulignon. This I effected by the aid of tin and hydrochloric acid, which, on being boiled with cœrulignon, yield a colourless solution. On the addition of chloride of iron, this solution becomes for a moment of a deep red colour, similar to that produced in the chloride by sulphocyanide of potassium, and next a beautiful violet-coloured crystalline precipitate of corulignon. The compound thus formed, which I term hydrocoerulignon, when prepared in the manner just described, is with difficulty obtained in a pure state, but is also formed in a somewhat complex reaction when potassa is made to act upon coerulignon. When that body and caustic potassa are heated with some water, a yellowcoloured pasty mass is first formed, which is next treated with hydrochloric acid and washed with water; this resinous mass, when treated with boiling alcohol, yields a crystalline colourless compound.

The reduction of cœrulignon is rapidly effected by means of yellow-coloured sulphuret of ammonium, whereby heat is developed; and, after the addition of hydrochloric acid and washing, a compound soluble in alcohol is obtained, which, on evaporation of that liquid, again yields the colourless crystalline body.

An aqueous solution of sulphurous acid also reduces cœrulignon, at 170°, to beautifully crystallised hydrocerulignon; sodium amalgam is not as good a reducing agent. Hydrocœrulignon is hardly soluble in water, but is soluble in alcohol and acetic acid; it fuses at 190°, and distils over undecomposed when cautiously heated, the distillate yielding large-sized colourless crystals. With the vapours of acetic acid, hydrocœrulignon is somewhat volatile. When treated with oxidising agents, viz., bichromate of potassa, chloride of iron, chlorine and bromine water, nitric acid, copper and silver salts, cœrulignon is again obtained, and with chloride of iron it may be titrated; for, as long as any cœrulignon remains, ferrocyanide of potassium does not yield prussian-blue. The formula of hydrocarulignon is C15H1606; it combines with acetic anhydride and chloride of benzoyl, yielding compounds corresponding to those formed under the same conditions with coerulignon. When ignited with zinc-dust, hydrocœrulignon yields a hydrocarbon in large quantities. Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolves hydrocœrulignon, exhibiting an orange-coloured solution, which, on being heated, becomes magenta-red. Hydrocoerulignon failed to act as white indigo does in the vat for dyeing. There can be no doubt that hydrocœrulignon is the substance present in crude wood-vinegar, which yields the cœrulignon; but in the industrial preparation of wood-vinegar by the decomposition of the acetate of lime with hydrochloric acid, only a small quantity of cœrulignon comes over with the distillate, since the larger part remains in the still. I found, from an experiment made, that, from a solution of hydrocœrulignon in acetic acid, the former is only distilled over in a somewhat larger quantity when a portion of the retort is overheated; but, since the product of the oxidation of hydrocœrulignon (viz., cœrulignon) is then largely formed, that substance may even be obtained on a large scale by the hundredweight. This experiment proves that the reason why the body The analysis and behaviour (with reagents) of the two just named has hitherto been entirely overlooked by wood-above-mentioned bodies indicate that hydrocœrulignon,

As cœrulignon is insoluble in wood-vinegar, and not volatile, it cannot be contained as such in the distilled wood-vinegar, but must be formed after the distillation from some other substance whereon the addition of bichromate of potassa has some influence. The application of that substance to the crude vinegar is for the purpose of purifying the crude liquid, the result being the formation of a copious and brown-coloured precipitate. I have found that, in several different instances, this precipitate always contains cœrulignon, which may be detected by the following process:-From 30 to 40 c.c. of the crude wood-vinegar is mixed with one-fourth of its bulk of a cold saturated solution of bichromate of potassa. The ensuing precipitate is first washed with water, next boiled with alcohol, and then with glacial acetic acid, then dried, and lastly treated with phenol; thus a red-coloured solution is produced, which, having been filtered, yields, by the addition of alcohol, a deep steel-blue precipitate-and this is cœrulignon.

C15H1606, is a compound belonging to the higher phenols. The green hydrochinon, C30H30012, or chinon, C15H1406, is the cœrulignon; but these formulæ are as yet only empirical, and derived from the percentically-obtained figures by analysis. When cœrulignon is left standing with concentrated sulphuric acid, heat is set free, and it yields a compound which, when treated with alcohol, is a brownish red crystalline isatine, a body which has the same composition as cœrulignon, but is not readily converted into hydrocœrulignon. I have every reason to believe that the precise formulæ of these interesting compounds will soon be found; and I also think there can be no doubt that, in the bodies under consideration, we have to do with a less far-fetched product of decomposition of woody fibre, or of the incrustrating matter of wood, than in the products of dry distillation of wood now known. -Ber. d. Deutsch. Chem. Gesells.

REMARKS UPON C. UNGER'S TREATISE ON
THE CONSTITUTION OF ULTRAMARINE.
By W. MORGAN.

IN Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, vol. v., p. 893, C. Unger has communicated his views respecting the constitution of ultramarine, and states as follows:"The chemical nature of ultramarine, notwithstanding the numerous investigations which have been made thereon, is by no means enlightened, and the general acceptation that it contains aluminium sulphide, or sodium sulphide, or sodium polythionate, is still very doubtful when one sees that ultramarine is not decomposed by fused potassium chlorate, and that it withstands decomposition for some time when heated with alkalies and nitrates. It is true that ultramarine, when heated with soda-lime, yields at most but a trace of ammonia; but if one heats it with fused microcosmic salt, or with an alkali acid sulphate, a considerable quantity of nitrogen will be liberated."

He then proceeds further, and concludes his treatise with a series of formula which would explain the whole series of reactions which take place in the manufacture of

ultramarine :

[blocks in formation]

In blue ultramarine Unger found 5.5 per cent of nitrogen. Although ultramarine has been the subject of numerous investigations and analyses during the last forty years, I have not been able to find any mention made as to the presence of nitrogen therein, and none of the analyses show a deficit of 5'5 per cent, which should be the case according to the quantity of nitrogen found by C. Unger. I became induced, under the guidance of Professor Will, to test the truth of his statements by the following experiments, the blue ultramarine used being previously washed out thoroughly and dried at 100° C.

(1). 3 to 4 grms. thereof were mixed with 12 grms. of pure acid sulphate of potassium, and the mixture brought into a combustion-tube, the ends of which were bent upwards—the one end being connected with a carbonic acid apparatus, the other end attached to a tube passing into a mercurial trough. After expelling the air as completely as possible by dry carbonic acid gas, the connection therewith was cut off, the tube gently heated, and finally raised to redness, the evolved gases were passed into a cylinder filled partly with mercury, partly with caustic potash, after the manner of nitrogen determinations; the total quantity of unabsorbable gas being 2 to 3 c.c., the which re-ignited a glowing chip when plunged into it, and showed the presence of oxygen mixed with air.

(2). In precisely the same manner the experiments were conducted with pure fused microcosmic salt, and again about 2 to 3 c.c. of unabsorbable gas were received, which proved to be air.

(3). 2 to 3 grms. of ultramarine, mixed with soda-lime, and heated in a combustion-tube connected with a Will and Varrentrapp's apparatus containing hydrochloric acid, into which the evolved gases were passed. At the close of the experiment the contents of the bulbs were tested for ammonia by adding chloride of platinum and alcohol, and not the least trace of a precipitate produced; and by Nessler's test but a trace of precipitate was yielded. and the results showed that it evolved a trace of ammonia This last experiment was repeated with soda-lime alone, when heated.

These results speak for themselves, and conclusively prove that nitrogen is not a constituent of ultramarine, and that the formula AlSiS2O3N2, put forward by C. Unger, is a false one.

Giessen, January, 1873.

ADULTERATION ACT, 1872.

THE following suggestions on the Adulteration Act, 1872, have been circulated by the Vestry of St. Pancras :

So soon as the necessary officers have been appointed by the vestry to execute the provisions of the Act, it will be necessary that the action of such officers be governed by regulations to be fixed by the vestry.

These regulations should be divided into two parts :— 1. Those relating to private purchasers who may wish articles analysed.

2.

Those for the inspector under the Act, who should submit articles for analysis in his capacity as a public officer only.

REGULATIONS FOR PURCHASERS GENERally.

The Act of 1872, clause 9, provides for the payment of a fee for analysis of not less than 2s. 6d., nor more than Ios. 6d. As the object of the vestry should be to have the Act carried out efficiently, rather than to receive large fees; and as it would be difficult for the ratepayers generally to understand a scale of fees, whether governed by the value of the analysis or otherwise, there should be an uniform fee of 2s. 6d. charged to all purchasers of articles not intended for re-sale, and a fee of 1os. 6d. to all purchasers of articles intended to be re-sold.

The fee should be paid to the inspector, who should give a printed receipt for the amount, and all fees should be accounted for by him to the vestry clerk; and the inspector should not, under penalty of dismissal, be allowed to receive any fee or reward other than that fixed by the vestry.

When a sample is brought to the inspector by a private purchaser, such purchaser should make a declaration before the inspector, that the article brought for analysis has been purchased at a place within the parish; and the name of the vendor and place of purchase should be stated in the declaration. The sample should be divided into

« PreviousContinue »