Combinations of Aldehyde and Phenols and Aromatic Hydrocarbons.-A. Baeyer.-This monograph is divided into the following sections:-Formaldehyde and phenol; formaldehyde and pyrogallic acid, and gallic acid and benzol and mesitylen; chloral and benzol. This number contains a condensed report of the proceedings of the meetings of the Imperial Russian Chemical Society at St. Petersburg, and also the report of the proceedings of the general annual meeting of the German Chemical Society at Berlin. As regards the former, the papers will be published in extenso in German periodicals. From the latter, we are glad to find that the Society is in a flourishing state; on the 14th of December last the number of members amounted to 822. At the request of many of the most prominent chemical manufacturers the North German Confederation has appointed a provisional committee to report on the chemical industries represented at the forthcoming Vienna Exhibition. We may also mention that the Municipal Government of Oranienburg (near Berlin) has agreed that the Runge memorial monument, placed in the cemetery of that town at the expense of some of the deceased's personal friends and the members of this Society, shall be properly taken care of. Les Mondes, January 9, 1873. Cerealine and Corn Phosphates.-MM. Devaux.-The authors have succeeded in extracting, from previously decorticated wheat, that highly-nitrogenised portion containing phosphoric acid which forms a thin, but compact, layer just inside the husk, and which, by the ordinary method of grinding wheat, is almost lost with the bran. This material, to which the name of cerealine is given, also contains a peculiar principle, in small quantity, which highly stimulates digestion. Mixed with sugar and pure powdered chocolate, it appears to be highly valued as an analeptic by the faculty in Paris. Method of Rendering Petroleum (Paraffin Oil) thick, so as to Prevent its Danger of Causing Fire.-M. Jordery.-By means of an inert substance (the powder of saponaria, a vegetable material), the author renders petroleum as thick as a sauce, so as to prevent its danger owing to its fluidity, and yet not interfering with its properties; because the thickened oil may be at once rendered fluid again by the addition of a few drops of phenic or strong acetic acids. Newly-Devised Geodesical Instrument.-Dr. La Porte. Technical Russian Society, Section Kieff.-This institution intends to award a prize for the best essay giving a simple and rapid, as well as readily executable, method of estimating the saccharine value of beet-roots. The process should be free from the inconveniences attending the processes now known. Memoirs to be sent in on or before the 13th of September next, to M. Tschoubinski, Goroditsch Sugar Works, Spola, district of Kieff (Kiew), Russia. Although not belonging to chemistry or collateral subjects, we call attention to the two following important papers: Effects Produced by the Construction of the Mont Cenis Tunnel and the Suez Canal.-Baron E. Du Menil. Earthworms.-Dr. E. Robert.-This essay contains curious observations on the utility of worms to agriculture and horticulture. January 16, 1873. Bibliography.-Under this heading attention is called to the following work:-" Climat, Géologie, Faune, et Géographie Botanique du Brésil," par M. Emmanuel Liais. This work, published by the Imperial Brazilian Government, contains correct and highly interesting information on Brazil. The author, a Frenchman, has thoroughly surveyed and explored this large empire, and in his work gives a faithful record of its mineral and other resources, as well as of its botanical productions and animals. Petites Annales de Chimie.-E. J. Maumené.-The tenth part of a monograph. This portion, treating on fermentation without ferments, is elucidated by a large number of algebraico-chemical formulæ, and is, like the former parts, written to thoroughly explain the author's views of the theory of chemistry. American Journal of Pharmacy, January, 1873. This number contains the following original matter bearing upon chemistry: Solania in Solanum Lycopersicum, the Tomato Plant.G. W. Kennedy.-The process employed by the author for preparing solania from the fresh leaves and stems of the plant is that of Wackenroder, but substituting ammonia for hydrate of lime. The solania, separated in crystalline state, was found to have a rather nauseous taste. With sulphuric acid, it gives a bright red colour, passing to reddish brown; with iodine, a characteristic yellowish brown colour is produced. The plant further contains some fixed oil, gum, chlorophyll, and inorganic salts. Ceresine, a Substitute for White Bees'-Wax.-J. P. Remington. This substance is obtained by heating ozokerite to from 250° to 300 in order to separate some oily fluids. When the mass is cooled down to 60°, it is treated with from 10 to 26 per cent of Nordhausen (fuming) sulphuric acid; the temperature is then raised to 100°, and care is taken to maintain this heat until the precipitation of the carbon takes place and forms a viscous residue, which is separated from the supernatant oils, then treated with 10 per cent of dilute sulphuric acid, and then neutralised by an alkali. The mass is then heated to 180°, poured upon plates, pressed through linen cloths, in order to separate greasy matters, and the residue melted again and filtered. The product is ceresine, a substance apparently holding a middle place between wax and paraffin. Modified Form of Crystals of Permanganate of Potassium. -J. P. Remington.-The author states that some permanganate imported from Germany was found to be, although otherwise pure, crystallised in a manner resembling a miniature heap of the salt anthracite. The cause of this divergence appears to be due to the presence of some foreign salts in the solution, from which the permanganate crystallised. The author observes that he found once, when preparing a large quantity of the permanganate, that, while the solution contained chloride and sulphate of potassium, there was also formed a double salt of perchlorate and permanganate of potassium. Adulterated Heavy Magnesia.-R. V. Mattison.-The author details at length his tests of a sample of heavy magnesia found to be adulterated with Rochelle salt. This sample was imported into the United States from abroad. International Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876.-Under this title, we find a proclamation of Congress to the people of the United States stating that the end of the first centennial of the existence of the Great Transatlantic Republic will be celebrated by a grand International Exhibition, to be held at Philadelphia, and to originate under the auspices of the National Legislature." 3194. T. Cobley, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, and J. E. Poynter, Glasgow, N.B., "Improvements in obtaining caustic baryta."-Petition recorded October 28, 1872. 3924. W. McAdam, Glasgow, N.B., "Improvements in utilising waste products of chemical and other works, in order to render the same applicable for building and structural purposes." 3926. D. C. Miller, Lonkhall, Lanarkshire, N.B., Improvements in distilling, evaporating, or concentrating saccharine and other solutions or liquids."-Petitions recorded December 27, 1872. 3930. B. White and P. T. Hendry, Glasgow, N.B., "Improvements in treating liquids to be burned for illuminating purposes."-A communication from J. Hale, jun., Cincinnati, U.S.A.-Petition recorded December 27, 1872. 3939. R. Williamson and J. Dale, Northwich, Cheshire," Improvements in the manufacture of salt, and in apparatus employed therein." -Petition recorded December 28, 1872. 3949. J. Higgin, Manchester, and J. Stenhouse, Pentonville, Middlesex, "Improvements in treating waste liquors containing arsenical or phosphatic compounds, and in obtaining and applying useful products therefrom." 3957 J. W. Spencer, Newcastle-on-Tyne, "Improvements in the production of iron."-Petitions recorded December 30, 1872. 3959. J. Harrington, Ryde, Isle of Wight, "Improvements in the treatment of paper and other materials for the production of imitation or artificial leather."-Petition recorded December 31, 1872. 1. C. W. Harrison, High Holborn, Middlesex, "Improvements in treating certain gases for lighting and heating purposes, and in combining atmospheric air therewith. " 14. G. Rawle, Bristol, and W. N. Evans, Bedminster, near Bristol, Improvements in the manufacture of leather." 17. C. Boundy, Birmingham, "Improvements in treating waste products and other materials containing zinc for the purpose of recovering zinc and other valuable products therefrom, and in apparatus to be employed for that purpose."-Petitions recorded January 1, 1873. 38. G. Bischof, Glasgow, N.B., "Improvements in the purification of water, and in the means and apparatus employed for that purpose. 42. W. G. Thompson, Manchester, "An improved process and apparatus for extracting oleaginous or fatty matters from liquid or solid substances."-Petitions recorded January 3, 1873. 45. A. A. Croll, Coleman Street, London, "Improvements in means or apparatus for the distillation of ammoniacal liquors, which improvements are also applicable in the distillation of other liquids, and in the concentration of soluble salts." 50. P. Spence, Newton Heath, Manchester, "Improvements in obtaining valuable substances derivable from residual liquors produced in the manufacture of alum from natural phosphates of alumina." -Petitions recorded January 4, 1873. 68. J. Argall, Adderbury, Oxfordshire, "Improvements in the manufacture of oil paints."-Petition recorded January 7, 1873. NOTICES TO PROCEED. 2527. C. Frickinger, Berlin, "Improvements in the manufacture of malleable iron, and in the furnaces employed therein."-Petition recorded August 26, 1872. 2569. B. W. Gerland, Ph.D., Macclesfield, Cheshire, and E. Johnson, Dartmouth Park, near Sydenham, Kent, "Improvements in the manufacture of sanitary charcoal, and the application thereof to the treatment of sewage." 2573. J. Hargreaves and T. Robinson, Widnes, Lancashire, "Improvements in the manufacture of hydrochloric acid, and in apparatus employed therein."-Petitions recorded August 29, 1872. 2596. J. Hargreaves and T. Robinson, Widnes, Lancashire, "Improvements in the manufacture of salt."-Petition recorded August 31, 1872. 2617. F. C. Danvers, Ealing, Middlesex, "Improvements in the manufacture of artificial fuel." 2619. F. R. H. Protheroe, Lydney, Gloucestershire, "Improvements in the manufacture of paper."-Petitions recorded September 3, 1872. 2630. J. W. Pollard, Mincing Lane, J. Schofield, Mark Lane, and A. Butel, Merchant Street, Bow, "Improvements in the treatment of spent oxides of iron, for the purpose of extracting cyanides."-Petition recorded September 4, 1872. 2642. C. W. Torr, Aston, New Birmingham, and J. Johnstone, Birmingham, "Improvements in furnaces for heating and melting metals and metallic alloys."-Petition recorded September 5, 1872. 2648. A. C. Duncan, and A. Duncan, Manchester, "Improvements in the production of Turkey red."-Petition recorded September 6, 1872. 2719. W. R. Lake, Southampton Buildings, London, "An improved process and compound for tempering and refining steel."-A communication from W. N. Severance, South Bend, Indiana, U.S.A. -Petition recorded September 13, 1872. 2822. C. Morfit, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A., "Improvements in the reclamation of materials employed in the manufacture of diphosphate and tri-phosphate of lime."-Petition recorded September 24, 1872. 3180. A. Malam, Dumfries, N.B., "Improvements in the manufacture of illuminating gas, and in apparatus therefor."-Petition recorded October 26, 1872. 3588. A. V. Newton, Chancery Lane, Middlesex, "Improvements in the manufacture of sugar, and in apparatus to be used therefor."A communication from S. Dod, Havanna, Cuba.-Petition recorded November 28, 1872. 3678. W. R. Lake, Southampton Buildings; London, "Improvements in the manufacture of malleable cast-iron and cast-steel, and in furnaces therefor."-A communication from J. M. Roberts, Burlington, New Jersey, U.S.A. 3680. T. Petitjean, Islington, Middlesex, "Improvements in the production of metallic surfaces and articles of various forms by chemical means and the electro-deposition of metals, which surfaces or articles are produced either highly polished, dead or matted, engraved, or otherwise ornamented."-Petitions recorded December 6, 1872. 3821. J. L. F. Target, Portsdown Road, Middlesex, "Improved means or apparatus for receiving human excreta, and for distributing, deodorising, or disinfecting powder over the same."-Petition recorded December 17, 1872. 3851. S. Holker, Lumb, near Bury, Lancashire, "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. 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."Petition recorded December 24, 1872. 3949. J. Higgin, Manchester, and J. Stenhouse, Pentonville, Middlesex, "Improvements in treating waste liquors containing arsenical or phosphatic compounds, and in obtaining and applying useful products therefrom.-Petition recorded December 30, 1872. PATENTS SEALED. 2118. E. C. C. Stanford, Glasgow, N.B., "Improvements in preserving and deodorising sea-weed, and in part applicable for deodorising various animal and vegetable substances."-Dated July 13, 1872. 2137. J. Dale, Manchester, "Improvements in the manufacture of oxalates of soda and potash.' 2144. S. S. Bateson, Mayfair, Middlesex, "Improvements in the treatment of hides or skins."-Dated July 17, 1872. 2205. H. A. Dufrene, Rue de la Fidelité, Paris, "Improvements in concentrating and evaporating sulphuric acid and other liquids, and in the apparatus employed therefor."-A communication from M. J. F. R. Faure and J. L. Kessler, Clermont-Ferrand, France.-Dated July 24, 1872. 2286. A. Browne, Gracechurch Street, London, "Improvements and modifications in the treatment of phosphate in general, and in the production and purification of phosphoric acid and its combinations."-A communication from H. Storck, E. Hentsch, A. Hentsch, A. Lutscher, and F. Grininger, Paris.-Dated July 30, 1872. 2328. E. Packard, Jun., Ipswich, Suffolk,Improvements in the manufacture of superphosphate of lime and artificial manure."Dated August 3, 1872. 2369. W. R. Lake, Southampton Buildings, London, "Improved nutritious compounds."-A communication from J. R. Weed, New York, U.S.A.-Dated August 9, 1872. NOTES AND QUERIES. Coralline and Blackley Red.-How is coralline manufactured, and how used in dyeing? also, how is Blackley red made ?-P. BURROWS. MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK. MONDAY, Jan. 27th.-Royal Geographical, 8. TUESDAY, 28th.-Royal Institution, 3. Prof. Rutherford, "On Forces WEDNESDAY, 29th.-Society of Arts, 8. Oxidation." TO CORRESPONDENTS. Vol. XXVI. of the CHEMICAL NEWS, containing a copious index, is now ready, price 11s. 4d., by post, 12s., handsomely bound in cloth, gold lettered. The cases for binding may be obtained at our office, price Is. 6d. Subscribers may have their copies bound for 2s. 6d. if sent to our office, or, if accompanied by a cloth case, for s. Subscribers wishing to complete their sets of volumes are requested to apply to the publisher, who will give them information respecting scarce numbers and volumes. Vol. xxvii. commenced on Jan. 3rd, and will be complete in twenty-six numbers. READING CASES, price is. 6d. each, post free, may also be obtained at the Office. Dr. B. W. Gerland.-Please forward your address, as there is a letter for you at our office. A. B. (Widnes).-Yes, but it is little more than a reprint of the CHEMICAL NEWS. Glasgow Philosophical Society.-Our report of the last meeting of the Chemical Section is unavoidably postponed till next week. M. H. Cochrane.-Received. Cher hemical Technology, or Chemistry in its Applications to the Arts and Manufactures. By THOMAS RICHARDSON and HENRY WATTS. Second Edition, illustrated with numerous Wood Engravings. Vol. I., Parts 1 and 2, price 368., with more than 400 Illustrations. Nature and Properties of Fuel: Secondary Products obtained from Fuel: Production of Light: Secondary Products of the Gas Manufacture. Vol. I., Part 3, price 338., with more than 300 Illustrations. Sulphur and its Compounds: Acidimetry: Chlorine and its Bleaching Compounds: Soda, Potash: Alkalimetry: Grease. Vol. I., Part 4, price 21s., 300 Illustrations. Aluminium and Sodium: Stannates, Tungstates, Chromates, and Silicates of Potash and Soda: Phosphorus, Borax: Nitre: GunPowder: Gun Cotton. Vol. I., Part 5, price 365. Prussiate of Potash: Oxalic, Tartaric, and Citric Acids, and Appendices containing the latest information and specifications relating to the materials described in Parts 3 and 4. BAILLIERE AND Co., 20, King William Street, Strand. " PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY. Laboratory, 60, Gower Street, Bedford Square, W.C. 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 18 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. which the receiver is attached be not less than that of the THE CHEMICAL NEWS. column of the liquid which can be supported by the atmo VOL. XXVII. No. 688. THE INVENTION OF THE WATER-AIR-PUMP. By H. SPRENGEL, STATEMENT.* A LETTER addressed to me by Dr. Sprengel, under date of November 1, 1872, in which he says-" Perhaps it will not have escaped your observation that the invention of the water-air-pump, which you have constructed after the principle of my mercury-air-pump, according to your paper, published in 1868, "On the Washing of Precipitates," is almost everywhere attributed to you "-induces me to make the following statement: The interesting discovery that, by means of columns of liquids flowing downwards, a more perfect vacuum can be produced than was possible by the air-pumps hitherto in use, belongs solely and only to Dr. Sprengel. He, in his researches on the vacuum (Journal of the Chemical Society, January, 1865), brings prominently forward that water is, from a practical point of view, the only liquid which could come into consideration as a substitute for mercury, used in the instrument described by him, and that it is not unlikely that such an instrument, adapted for water, might possess advantages which air-pumps of other constructions have not, particularly in hilly countries, where the large volume of a natural waterfall might be rendered available. In the theoretical considerations on the action of his instrument, which immediately follow the above, it is noticed that it is simply the reverse of the trompe, with this addition, that the supply of air is limited, while that in the trompe is unlimited. If, in the face of these facts, which are open to all, anyone attributed to me, as I must conclude from Dr. Sprengel's letter, a share in his discovery, I can regret this only all the more keenly, as in my treatise on the new method of filtration I could not possibly have expressed myself, with regard to Dr. Sprengel's claims, more loyally and precisely than I have done. There I have stated expressly that I have constructed the pump used for filtrations, and described by me in detail, after the principle of Sprengel's mercury-air-pump. It was the only apparatus of the kind which Dr. Sprengel described, consequently the one to which alone I could refer. Expressing my best thanks to Professor Bunsen for the above statement, I beg to add that since 1860 I have been using, for laboratory purposes, a water-trompe as described by me in Poggendorff's Annalen, vol. cxii., which (by reversing the action) led me, in 1863, to the new method of air rarefaction. Water was the first liquid I used in my first pump, constructed during the summer of 1863; but the fallacies arising from the tension of aqueous vapour, and from the air absorbed in water, as well as the inconvenience of having to provide for the requisite fall, caused me to discontinue the use of water, and to substitute in its stead mercury, as the most suitable liquid for establishing THE truth, which I had recognised by means of a water-air-pump with an insufficient fall. My paper of 1865 was written with reference to ALL liquids; in fact, on page 15 (rendered prominent by italics) I summed up thus: "The main fact which I have established in this paper may be shortly stated to be, that if a liquid be allowed to run down a tube, to the upper part of which a receiver is attached by means of a lateral tube, and if the height at Translated from Ann. Chem. Pharm., vol. clxv., p. 159, by H. Sprengel, authorised by Professor Bunsen. spheric pressure, a vacuum will be formed in the receiver, minus the tension of the liquid employed." I regret that the obviousness of the matter led me to refrain from expressing myself in a more detailed manner, believing, as I still believe, that what I wrote sufficiently described the construction of the water-air-pump. In conclusion, Mr. Johnson's aspirator, for establishing a current of air, ought to be mentioned here. It was recognised by Professor Hofmann to act on the principle of the trompe, and, of course, might have served as an air-pump had it been noticed at the time that the instrument would furnish the means of creating a vacuum. And I may also draw attention to the tubet of a vacuumpan, through which the water is made to escape, which has served to condense the steam of the boiling liquid. This no doubt would in like manner have served as a complete water-air-pump, but it does not appear that its use, as such, was discovered. London, Jan. 22, 1873. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORY OF THE ORCINS.-AMIDO-DERIVATIVES OF ORCIN.|| By JOHN STENHOUSE, LL.D., F.R.S, £c. IN a paper published in March, 1871, § I stated that I had made some experiments on the action of reducing agents on trinitro-orcinic acid and trinitro-resorcinic acid; but as Dr. Schreder has since published an account of some of the amido-derivatives of the latter substance, I have not pursued my investigations further in that direction, but confined myself to an examination of the products obtained from trinitro-orcinic acid. Amido-diimido-orcin, C7H5(NH2(NH)2O2.-This compound, which has the properties of a base, is formed by the oxidation of triamido-orcin, and is most conveniently obtained in a pure state by decomposing a solution of the acetate with a slight excess of ammonia. The most advantageous method of preparing the base is to reduce trinitro-orcin with sodium-amalgam, and to oxidise the alkaline solution of triamido-orcin by exposure to the air. The details of the process are as follows:One part of trinitro-orcin and forty or fifty parts of water are placed in a bottle furnished with a caoutchouc cork, and fragments of sodium-amalgam containing about 3 per cent of sodium are gradually introduced and agitated with the solution, which first acquires a brown colour from the formation of an intermediate amido-product, probably analogous to picramic acid, but becomes colourless as soon as the trinitro-orcin is completely reduced. The solution should be cooled from time to time, as considerable heat is generated during the reaction. When the become cold, it is poured into a large flask and agitated solution containing triamido-orcin and sodic hydrate has briskly; by this means the triamido-orcin is oxidised to amido-diimido-orcin, and the solution assumes a magnifi cent blue colour. C7H5(NH2)3O2+O=C7H5(NH2)(NH)2O2+OH2. A few seconds' agitation is sufficient, as if it be continued after the blue colour is fully developed, the amido-diimidoorcin in the strongly alkaline solution undergoes further oxidation, and is destroyed. On strongly acidulating the blue solution with sulphuric or hydrochloric acid, the corresponding salt of amido-diimido-orcin is precipitated. Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society, vol. iv., p. 186, 1852. + Ibid. "Elements of Physics," by Neil Arnott, M.D. (3rd edition). London: Longmans. 1828. A paper read before the Royal Society. A preliminary note on this subject appeared in the CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. xxiii., p. 292, and Zeits. Chem., vol. vii., p. 414. Proc. Roy. Soc., vol. xix., p. 410. Ann. Chem. Pharm., vol. clviii,, p. 244, Instead of directly agitating the colourless solution with air, it may be first neutralised or rendered very slightly acid with hydrochloric acid, cooled, and then rendered alkaline with ammonia. If this solution be now agitated, in the manner before described, it becomes filled with minute green needles of amido-diimido-orcin. Although the first method gives the best results, when carefully conducted, it requires considerable experience to stop the oxidation at the precise point when the whole of the triamido-orcin is oxidised to amido-diimido-orcin, and before the latter becomes destroyed. With the ammoniacal solution there is far less danger of over-oxidation. Trinitro-orcin is also reduced by treatment with tin and hydrochloric acid, or zinc and hydrochloric or sulphuric acid. One part of trinitro-orcin and four parts of granulated tin are heated in a capacious flask with eight measures of concentrated hydochloric acid diluted with sixteen measures of water. In a short time a powerful reaction takes place, so that it is advisable to remove the flask from the source of heat in order to prevent the contents from boiling over. When the action has become somewhat moderate, the solution is boiled until it is colourless, then diluted with water, and the tin precipitated by hydrosulphuric acid. The clear solution acquires a purple tint on standing, and deposits large dark-coloured prisms of amido-diimido-orcin hydrochlorate, or the amido-diimido-orcin may be obtained directly by adding a slight excess of ammonia to the filtrate from the tin sulphide and oxidising by agitation in the presence of air, when the base immediately separates in minute green needles. Trinitro-orcin and granulated zinc are boiled in a flask with twenty or thirty parts of water, and hydrochloric acid added in small quantities at a time until the solution becomes almost colourless. The clear liquid, poured from the excess of zinc and allowed to cool, is rendered slightly alkaline by ammonia and exposed to the air. As soon as the triamido-orcin is oxidised, which may be known by the brown colour of the product, an excess of hydrochloric acid is added to dissolve the zinc oxide and precipitate the amido-diimido-orcin as hydrochloride. The yield is, however, considerably less than when sodium-amalgam is employed as the reducing agent. The amido-diimido-orcin sulphate or hydrochlorate obtained by any of the above processes is readily decomposed by treatment with a slight excess of dilute ammonia, leaving the free base in an impure state. This should then be dissolved in warm dilute acetic acid, filtered, and precipitated by a slight excess of ammonia. Two or three solutions and re-precipitations are sufficient to render it pure. Pure amido-diimido-orcin crystallises in small needles, which have a dark green metallic lustre by reflected light. They are insoluble in alcohol, ether, and benzol, and almost insoluble in water and dilute ammonia. Strong ammonia only dissolves the base in small quantity, yielding a pale blue solution, but it is readily soluble in a solution of sodic hydrate, with a fine deep blue colour; the solution, however, when boiled, loses its colour, ammonia being at the same time evolved. The base gives off ammonia when heated, and leaves a carbonaceous residue very difficult of combustion. As might be expected, when amido-diimido-orcin is treated with sodiumamalgam, it is re-converted into triamido-orcin. Analysis of Amido-diimido-orcin.-0.290 grm. substance, dried in vacuo, lost o'025 grm. when dried at 100°, equivalent to 8.62 per cent. I. o 140 grm. substance, dried at 100°, gave 0.234 grm. carbonic anhydride and o'075 grm. water. II. o 290 grm. substance, dried at 100°, gave 0.487 grm. carbonic anhydride and o‘152 grm. water. It will be seen that the results of the analyses agree as it requires 8.87 per cent water. If a current of sulphuretted hydrogen be passed through a solution of ammonium sulphydrate in which amidodiimido-orcin is suspended, the latter rapidly loses its colour, and becomes converted into a sandy deposit consisting of colourless crystals. These are apparently triamido-orcin, and may be washed by decantation with a dilute solution of ammonium sulphydrate, in which they are but slightly soluble. These crystals rapidly acquire the metallic-green lustre of amido-diimido-orcin when exposed to the air, and are readily soluble in dilute acids. The hydrochloric acid solution behaves in a manner precisely similar to that obtained by the reduction of trinitroorcin with tin and hydrochloric acid, becoming deep red, and depositing crystals of amido-diimido-orcin hydrochloride when exposed to the air. Amido-diimido-orcin Hydrochloride.-The hydrochloride obtained in the preparation of amido-diimido-orcin, as described in the earlier part of this communication, may be purified by crystallisation from hot water; but as heat decomposes solutions of the salts of this base, it is better to precipitate a cold solution of the acetate by a slight excess of hydrochloric acid, in which the hydrochloride is but slightly soluble: the precipitate should be thoroughly washed with alcohol, pressed, and dried. Pure amido-diimido-orcin hydrochloride crystallises in different ways, according to the circumstances under which the crystals are formed. As produced directly by adding hydrochloric acid to the blue solution of the base in caustic soda obtained from trinitro-orcin by sodiumamalgam, it forms long silky needles of a brownish-red colour; an aqueous solution of the acetate or hydrochloride precipitated by an excess of hydrochloric acid yields a mixture of these needles with rhomboidal plates; the latter are purple by reflected light, and of an olivegreen colour by transmitted light. The slow oxidation of the hydrochloric acid solution of triamido-orcin obtained by means of tin and hydrochloric acid yields dark-coloured, short, thick prisms. The hydrochloride is insoluble in alcohol and ether, moderately soluble in cold water, and readily in boiling water, although the latter causes partial decomposition. Its aqueous solution is precipitated almost entirely on acidulating it with hydrochloric acid; but the salt is soluble in concentrated hydrochloric acid, especially when warm, forming a purple solution. On boiling this the salt is rapidly decomposed, and the colour changes to a dirty green. Analysis of Amido-diimido-orcin Hydrochloride.—0*428 grm. substance, dried in vacuo, lost o‘035 grm. when heated to 100°, corresponding to 8.41 per cent water. I. 0 255 grm. substance, dried at 100°, gave o 180 grm. argentic chloride. II. 0232 grm. substance, dried at 100°, gave 0.164 grm. argentic chloride. III. o 344 grm. substance, dried at 100°, gave o°242 grm. argentic chloride. The formula of this salt would therefore appear to be[C6(CH3) (NH2) (NH)2(HO)2]2SO4 + H2O. Amido-diimido-orcin Nitrate is prepared, like the sulphate, by adding a slight excess of nitric acid to a moderately strong solution of the acetate, and washing the precipitate with alcohol. It closely resembles the sulphate in appearance, but is much more soluble in water. When heated with excess of nitric acid it is decomposed, yielding a yellow solution, which, on being evaporated, leaves a mixture of oxalic acid and an amorphous yellow substance. Amido-diimido-orcin Acetate. - Amido-diimido-orcin dissolves readily in acetic acid, and on carefully evaporating the solution, at a low temperature, the acetate is obtained in ill-defined crystalline plates having a purple iridescence. It is readily soluble in cold water, but only slightly soluble in glacial acetic acid. Amido-diimido-orcin Oxalate.-Very slightly soluble purple scales obtained by precipitating a solution of the acetate with oxalic acid. Amido-diimido-orcin Picrate.-On adding a solution of picric acid to a dilute solution of amido-diimido-orcin acetate, and washing the precipitate with alcohol, the picrate is obtained in iridescent green needles and plates. It is insoluble in alcohol, and but slightly soluble in water. I cannot conclude this paper without acknowledging the very efficient aid I have received from my assistant, Mr. Charles Edward Groves, in conducting this investigation. ON ULTRAMARINE.* By C. UNGER. ALTHOUGH ultramarine has been frequently the subject of research, its chemical nature has not hitherto been well elucidated, and the supposition that it contains sulphuret of aluminium or sulphuret of sodium, or a polythionate of soda, becomes a dubious matter, seeing that ultramarine is not decomposed by fused chlorate of potassa, while it (the ultramarine) resists, for some length of time, fusion with alkalies and nitrates. Ultramarine, when ignited with * A criticism of this Article appeared in our last number. soda-lime, yields only a trace of ammonia; but, when ignited with phosphor salt, or with an alkaline bisulphate, nitrogen is largely given off. This reminds me of an old observation made by the late Berzelius, who states, in his treatise on the blowpipe, that, when lapis lazuli is treated with phosphor salt, the mineral is dissolved with a continuous effervescence yielding a colourless bead. Nothing is said as regards the nature of the gas alluded to; it is probable, however, that even then it may have been known that lapis lazuli contains nitrogen. When I analysed phuret of sodium, as well as from any acid of sulphur, I a sample of artificially-made ultramarine, free from sulfound that sample to contain-deductions being made for some kaolin which had escaped the process of conversion, and for some soda separated by treating the residue left after my operations with chloride of ammonium-upon 126 per cent of sulphur, 5.5 per cent of nitrogen, or equal atoms of each of these elements, and further Nearly, if not quite, all the oxygen contained in this ultramarine is evidently combined with sodium, aluminium, and silicium, forming soda, alumina, and silica, which are colourless compounds. On the other hand, the elements which form the blue-coloured compound ought to be present in atomistical proportions; and upon 1 atom of sulphur or nitrogen there must be at least I atom of sodium or aluminium, silicium or oxygen, supposing there is an excess of these. Now it is well known that ultramarine gelatinises when treated with acids, thereby proving that the silica is really combined with bases. The blue-coloured body must contain, for 1 atom of nitrogen, I double atom of aluminium and I atom of silicium, but no sodium, otherwise there would not be left a sufficient quantity of basis for the silica of the colourless body, without which (soda) the gelatinising by the action of acids cannot take place. The supposition of the presence of only I double atom of aluminium in the blue-coloured body is based upon the fact that the quantity of aluminium found by analysis is not sufficiently large to admit of the presence of 2 double atoms of that element; while, as regards silicium, there can only be 1 atom, since the second atom must of necessity be combined with oxygen, which would otherwise be present in free state, and in order to find elements to combine with the oxygen present, it is evident that it (the O) is to be divided between the sodium, aluminium, and silicium; there remains then, however, a residual quantity of oxygen, which must belong to the blue body, since it is ascertained that that O is not a constituent of an acid of the sulphur or of the nitrogen. Consequently the analysed sample of ultramarine contained 55'7 per cent of silicates of soda and alumina, with a relation of the oxygen in the acids and bases = 2:1 and 443 per cent of the blue body, AlSiS2N2O3; this formula is based upon the following data: I first investigated which of the salts present in the wellknown mixture employed in the making of ultramarine during the calcination process form, with kaolin, ultramarine blue. I found that neither sulphur, sulphite of soda, hyposulphite of soda, nor mono- or poly-sulphuret of sodium have this effect; but I ascertained that hyposulphite of soda does so when mixed with either carbonate or caustic soda. I equivalent of carbonate and 2 equivalents of hyposulphite of soda react upon each other, but the deepest blue is formed when equal equivalents of silica and alumina are applied. The result I obtained by a large number of calcinations with differently made up mixtures proved that the blue body is most copiously formed when the mass to be calcined is compounded according to the following formula: AlO3+SiO2+4 Na2S2O3+2Na2O or 2Na2CO3. |