receiver; on exhausting it was extinguished. When burnt in the closed receiver, without exhausting, it continued alight for a much longer time. Experiment 11. A wire basket, filled with ignited charcoal, was suspended in the receiver; on exhausting the charcoal ceased to glow sooner than when the receiver was not exhausted; but a piece of red-hot iron did not appear to lose its redness sooner in a vacuum than when placed in the closed receiver. Experiment 12. A piece of lighted match, "such as souldiers use," was placed in the receiver; it was quickly extinguished, and an immense quantity of smoke was produced. Experiment 13. In order to see whether the match was extinguished for want of air, or because the smoke pressed upon it, and stifled the flame, a partially-blown bladder was introduced with the match, to see if the fumes exerted appreciable pressure, but the bladder expanded quite as readily as when it was placed in the receiver without the match. Experiment 14. Gunpowder could be fired in an exhausted receiver, and a flint and steel meeting together in collision produced sparks. (To be continued.) TECHNICAL CHEMISTRY. A Few Words on the So-called "Sombrero Guano," and some other Natural Phosphates, by Dr. РHIPSON, F.C.S., &c. The similarity of appearance between the madreporic rock (carbonate of lime) and the Sombrero phosphate does not allow them to be easily distinguished by persons unaccustomed to observe. Hence, it is not surprising that a considerable amount of this coral rock reaches England along with the phosphate. Its presence is, however, easily detected in the commercial world by a drop of muriatic acid, which causes immediate effervescence; and the few persons who purchase this rock phosphate here in London (paying for it about the same price as for the best description of bone ash) are well aware of this impurity. We cannot but suppose that the "resident chemist" is also aware of this admixture, and the effects it has upon the composition of "a wellchosen specimen," especially when such a mixture is imperfectly analysed, and the composition of bone phosphate written 3CaO,PhO. At such a rate, we may, indeed, inform the public that Sombrero phosphate contains 83 to 85 per cent. of bone phosphate of lime, but with the risk of being exposed! The late Mr. John Nesbit analysed four specimens of this Sombrero rock as early as 1858 (but did not recognise its atomic composition); these four specimens gave from 9 to 13 per cent. of oxides of iron and alumina; my analysis alluded to above shows 17 per cent. of phosphate of alumina, and yet Mr. Alexis Julien boldly asserts that this Sombrero phosphate contains "less than 1 per cent. of phosphate of alumina, and often none!" The resident chemist at Sombrero regrets that I do not make known my method of analysis; I will state at once that it is to be found entire in the treatise of Fresenius, and recommend it to his particular attention. As to the origin of Sombrero phosphate, it is evidently in no way connected with guano. I have shown elsewhere that not a trace of uric acid can be discovered in it, nor do we find any compound of alumina in the ash of guano. Guano appears to split up naturally into two parts by gradual decomposition, the one consisting of bicarbonate of ammonia, which, according to my analysis of a specimen from the Chinca Isles, contains NHO, 29'76; CaO, 6·02; HO, 11'00; CO2, 51*53; uric acid and alcalis, 109; phosphoric acid, o'60, &c., In the last number of the CHEMICAL NEWS appeared an article (taken from the American Journal of Science, xxxvi.) on the so-called "Sombrero guano," in which the writer, Mr. Alexis Julien, endeavours, in a blundering manner, to criticise my opinion upon the nature of the mineral Sombrerite," the essential part of this "Sombrero guano." It would appear that this gentleman, who styles himself "resident chemist at Sombrero," and assigns to bone phosphate the composition 3 CaO,PhO,, whilst pretending that 2CaO,PhO, can be washed off a filter with hot water, and that chloride of sodium is deliquescent, has not been able to ascertain the true composition of the rock on which he resides, and regrets 100; and the other, known as "West India phosthat "Dr. Phipson does not inform us of the method phate," which gave me-Phosphate of lime, 35'5; carused by him in his analysis." According to the "resi-bonate of lime, 340; with 16.5 per cent. of organic dent chemist," one-half of the cargoes exported from Sombrero contain 83 to 85 per cent. of bone phosphate of lime! We might add that the other half may then be supposed to consist of coral rock or carbonate of lime. In making my analysis of Sombrero rock, I had merely in view the elucidation of its true composition. I was not prepossessed in favour of any "cargoes." The first sample I analysed was taken by myself from a bulk of some seventy tons, and the second from another bulk of about thirty tons. Since then several other samples have been forwarded to me for analysis. They all give very similar results, save when mixed with an undue proportion of carbonate of lime; and 65 per cent. of tribasic phosphate of lime, 17 per cent. of phosphate of alumina, with 4 to 5 per cent. of carbonate of lime, as in my published analysis, may be fairly taken as the average composition of the pure Sombrero phosphate. I have designated this amorphous rock Sombrerite,† as it is the only natural example we have of a compound of phosphate of lime with phosphate of alumina. *Journ. of Chem. Soc., 1862, and CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. vi, + Loc. cit. matter, containing 046 of nitrogen, and in which I recognised a notable amount of the true Xanthic oxide, precipitable from its solution in soda by a current of carbonic acid. As I am upon the subject of natural phosphates, I will state here that, besides the Cambridge and Suffolk coprolites so plentiful in England, the former of which, according to a great number of analyses made in my laboratory, contain on an average 65 per cent. of tribasic phosphate of lime, and the latter 56 per cent. of this phosphate, there exists also in the chalk districts of England, particularly those of the Isle of Wight, fossil wood and other petrified remains of sponges, polypes, &c., which contain a large amount of phosphates. following is the analysis of a specimen of fossil wood of this description, forwarded to my laboratory about eighteen months ago. Its specific gravity was 2.71, its colour brown; it lay in the green sand of the Isle of The NEWS It results from the foregoing 92'00 8.00 100'00 1st. That the so-called "Sombrero guano" is not a guano at all, nor has any relation to guano. That it is a distinct compound of phosphate of lime and phosphate of alumina, to which I have given the name of Sombrerite. That this Sombrerite forms the essential part of the Sombrero phosphate, and that this rock is frequently mixed accidentally or intentionally with a large amount of carbonate of lime. 2nd. That the richest of all mineral phosphates in phosphate of lime is the Estramadura phosphate from Spain, and that we have phosphates in England in abundance, the composition of some of which approaches that of the latter. PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. G. W. SANDFORD, Esq., President, in the Chair. THE first paper read was "On the Importation of the RootBark of Chinchona Calisaya from Bolivia," by JOHN ELIOT HOWARD, F.L.S. The author stated, that in recent importations of calisaya bark from Bolivia he had noticed the admixture, to a large extent, of the root bark, a specimen of which was before the meeting, and which presented sufficiently striking characteristics to distinguish it from the ordinary calisaya bark. Its curly form was its chief peculiarity. The probability of the root-bark finding its way into use in the manufacture of tinctures and decoctions, had induced him to examine it. The yield of a very favourable specimen of root-bark in purified alkaloids was 8.14 parts in 1000. Of this only 3'06 parts were obtained as a crystallised salt of quinine, the rest consisting almost entirely of the quinidine of Pasteur. Further investigation was demanded to account for the substitution of quinidine for quinine in the descent of the sap to the roots of the plant, and, if confirmed, would be somewhat curious. There was no doubt that the first formation of the alkaloids took place in the leaves, and it would be very interesting to know how, in the downward descent of the sap, such changes as the conversion of one alkaloid into another could take place. The collectors in Bolivia had succeeded in selling the root-bark as genuine calisaya, but the low estimation in which it was held in Europe had disappointed them. Professor BENTLEY remarked that much importance was attached to Mr. Howard's paper. It showed that the proportion of quinine existing in the root-bark was very much less than that found in the ordinary calisaya bark of commerce. All purchasers of bark should be made aware of this, and be on their guard, so as not to be deceived into purchasing the root-bark for the true calisaya. Mr. HANBURY said that the observations of Mr. Howard were parallel to those of M. De Vrij on the chinchona cultivation in Java, where he had proposed to extract the alkaloid from the root-bark, but had found the yield very poor. Professor REDWOOD said there were other falsifications of calisaya bark even more important than that of the admixture of the root-bark, because they contained no quinine. His own opinion was, that calisaya bark did not contain the amount of quinine which had been ascribed to it. He was in the constant habit of analysing calisaya, but had never found the large proportion of quinine which had been stated to exist. The next paper was "On Goa Powder," by DAVID S. KEMP, Bombay. The substance known as Goa powder was first introduced into Goa, on the Bombay coast, some twelve years since, by a Portugese merchant. It was in masses, mixed with fragments of root, stems, bark, and sold at Goa, from whence it found its way to Bombay. other matters. The masses were reduced to powder, and The importer afterwards removed to Mozambique, where he died, and it is believed that the manufacture of Goa powder is still carried on at that place. Goa powder is a light, chocolate-coloured powder, and is used very successfully in obstinate skin diseases, to which both Europeans and natives are subject. It is rubbed on the skin with water or lemon juice. From the analogy existing between the substances found in Goa powder by the author in his obtained from orchella-weed-and from the fact, that large analyses, with erythroleic acid and azoerythrin-bodies quantities of the orchella are exported from parts north of Mozambique, it is highly probable that the orchella-weed is a large constituent of Goa powder. Dr. ATTFIELD, having examined a specimen of Goa powder, furnished him by Mr. Hanbury, with whom the author had communicated, could fully confirm Mr. Kemp's diagnosis. From his examination of Goa powder, he was led to think that English cudbear was a good representative of it. The colorific matters contained in it confirmed this. After this, a "Note on the Recovery of Essential Oils from their Watery Solution," by T. B. GROVES, was read. The author was led to the discovery of the process by the failure of the process of M. Piver, given in the "Reports of the Juries," 1851. The object was the concentration of an aromatic water into a spirituous essence. To the water was added about one-eighth of its volume of olive oil, which was emulsed by solution of potash. The emulsion was destroyed by the addition of an acid, when the olive oil immediately rose to the surface, bringing with it almost all the aroma. The aromatic oil was easily separated from the fatty oil by agitation with rectified spirit. Thomson's Patent Bottles for the Prevention of Poisoning were exhibited, and the construction of them explained to the meeting. The chief feature consists of the substitution of a metal cap for the ordinary cork or stopper. To the cap is attached a small key, with which it may be locked, thus preventing access to poisons of persons not in possession of a key, and offering a peculiarity sufficiently obvious either to dispenser or patient to remind that the bottle contains a poison. Mr. THONGER also laid before the meeting some of his Patent Labels for the Prevention of Accidental Poisoning. The preventive consists of a border of sand-paper round each label, thus appealing strongly to the sense of touch. It was applicable to dispensing bottles and to the smallest phials, and possessed an advantage over any form of bottle, inasmuch as the label could be applied to any vessel, while the chemist would often be compelled to put poisons into ordinary bottles for want of one of a particular shape being in stock. MANCHESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. December 29, 1863. E. W. BINNEY, F.R.S., F.G.S., President, in the Chair. MR. SIDEBOTHAM exhibited two photographs which he had taken from a book in the possession of Mr. Buxton, of Daresbury, entitled, "Histoire de la Navigation aux Indes Orientales, par les Hollandois," Amsterdam, 1609. One of these represents the title-page, which is interesting as showing, in the map of Africa which it contains, the course of the Nile and the two lakes from which it springs, one of them having two outlets. The other photograph shows, among figures of other productions of the Mauritius, that of the Dodo. It would appear that this is the earliest figure of this now extinct bird. T.T. WILKINSON, F.R.A.S., communicated the following note on the late meteor :-On December 5, 1863, at about 7h. 55m. p.m., I observed a very brilliant meteor at Haslingden. It passed from the north towards the west, and was first visible to me when near to y Ursa Majoris. The nucleus was of an egg-like form, the head being intensely bright and considerably broader than the rest. The atmosphere was quite clear at the time, and hence I had a good view of its whole passage. Its colour was pale blue, and the light it emitted was so intense that the public gas lamps were immediately put into shade, and suddenly threw their shadows across the road. The tail of the meteor gradually tapered to a point, and appeared to give out sparks of a purplish tint. When about 4° beneath a Lyra, the meteor exploded, and then the sparks were so variegated in colour-the red and purple tints prevailing-that they gave me the idea of a rocket, and I for a moment thought that the Haslingden people were doing this in honour of the Marquis of Hartington's visit to their town. This illusion was, however, immediately dispelled. The whole time of passage did not occupy more than a few seconds. Although several hundreds of persons witnessed the phenomenon, I cannot find that any one heard any sound made by the meteor either during its passage or on its explosion. NOTICES OF BOOKS. The Retrospect of Medicine: being a Half- Yearly Journal, containing a Retrospective View of every Discovery and Practical Improvement in the Medical Sciences. Edited by W. BRAITHWAITE, M.D., &c., &c., and JAMES BRAITHWAITE, M.D. Vol. XLVIII., July to December, 1863. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 1864. We can only notice the punctual appearance of this very useful compilation. With nothing of particular importance, it contains the usual amount of well-selected matter. The Ghost! as Produced in the Spectre Drama; popularly Illustrating the Marvellous Optical Illusions obtained by the Apparatus called the Dircksian Phantasmagoria: being a full Account of its History, Construction, and Various Applications. By HENRY DIRCKS, Civil Engineer, &c., &c., the Inventor. London: Spon and Co. 1863. THE title of the work well explains its contents, and the marvellous ghost need no longer be a mystery to any one who will read this little book. Everything relating to it is fully explained, and excellent suggestions are given for producing new illusions. We are sorry to say that there are, besides, a preface and an appendix, which are painful to read, on account of the personal dispute introduced. International Exhibition: Jurors' Report. Class II., Section Α. Chemical Products and Processes. Reporter, A. W. HOFMANN, F.R.S., LL.D., &c., &c. (EIGHTH NOTICE.) (Continued from Vol. VIII., page 299.) We resume our notices of this deeply interesting Report, and come next to Phosphorus. This element is found in minute quantities almost everywhere in Nature. It is an essential constituent of fertile soils, and of all living organisms. But people have been rather puzzled to account for the mountains of apatite (crystalline phosphate of lime) which have already been found in one or two parts of Europe, and which may exist in other quarters of the globe. We quote the Reporter's explanation:-" Large masses of phosphorus are, in the course of geological revolutions extending over vast periods of time, restored from the organic reigns of Nature to the mineral kingdom by the slow process of fossilisation, whereby vegetal tissues are gradually transformed into peat, lignite, and coal; and animal tissues are petrified into coprolites, which, in course of time, yield crystalline apatite." And then :-"After lying locked up and motionless in these forms for indefinite periods, phosphorus, by further geological movements, becomes again exposed to its natural solvents, water and carbonic acid, and is thus restored to active service in the organisms of plants and the lower animals, through which it passes, to complete the mighty cycle of its movements, into the blood and tissue of the human frame. While circulating thus, age after age, through the three kingdoms of Nature, phosphorus is never for a moment free. It is throughout retained in combination with oxygen, and with the earthy or alkaline metals, for which its attraction is intense." Free phosphorus has, however, become a necessity for civilized people, and it is now manufactured in enormous quantities by some modification of the following process devised by Nicolas and Pelletier. The principle of the method is the reduction of monobasic phosphate of lime by carbon. Bone ash (tricalcic phosphate) is treated with sulphuric acid, which abstracts part of the lime: Ca3PO4 + H2SO1 = CaH2PO, + Ca2SO1. The acid solution of monocalcic phosphate is boiled down to a syrup, a small quantity of tricalcic phosphate which separates is removed, and the residue is heated to redness; the basic water of the acid phosphate escapes, and a residue of metaphosphate (monocalcic phosphate) remains. This salt is mixed with charcoal and exposed to a higher temperature, when a quantity of phosphoric acid is reduced to phosphorus as will reproduce tribasic phosphate: 3CaOPO3+C, Ca,PO,+ 5CO+P2. = The operation is generally carried on in the following manner : "The bones, thus freed from fat, are further treated in one or other of the following ways. In some cases the the remaining earthy matter, after being dried and burnt, gelatinous matter is extracted by superheated steam, and is used for the preparation of phosphorus. In other cases the bones are exhausted with dilute hydrochloric acid; the remaining cartilaginous substances used for the preparation of gelatine; and the acid solution of the bones precipitated with milk of lime, or better, with crude carbonate of ammonia. The tricalcic phosphate thus obtained, after being heated to low redness, is ready to be used for the preparation of phosphorus. "Another process consists in subjecting the bones to destructive distillation, whereby ammonium salts and bone charcoal are obtained. The latter is either first used in the refining of sugar, or the crude bone charcoal is purified by exhausting it with hot hydrochloric acid, and the acid solution transformed as above into tricalcic phosphate." Other processes have been proposed to obviate the necessity of treating the bones with sulphuric acid. One of these is that patented by M. Cary-Martrand. It is based on the following reaction :-When a mixture of bone phosphate and charcoal is exposed at a red heat to the action of hydrochloric acid gas, the whole of the phosphorus of the bones is set free, the reaction appearing to take place according to the equation Cа3PO4 + C1+3HCl = 3CaCl +4CO + H2+ P. The mechanical arrangements for conducting such a process can be readily devised. Another process suggested by Fleck is the following:The bones are treated with cold dilute hydrochloric acid; the solution is evaporated to sp. gr. 1143. On cooling, this solution deposits crystals of acid phosphate of calcium: these are collected and freed from the mother liquor by pressure between porous stones. The white nacreous mass obtained is mixed with one-fourth its weight of wood charcoal, and distilled for the phosphorus. Neither of these two processes, the report says, has yet been brought into actual use. Phosphorus, however obtained, requires purification, which is best effected by treating the crude product with sulphuric acid and chromate of potassium, as first suggested by Wöhler. A mixture of these two is added to a melted mass of crude phosphorus, whereby the red and brown products become oxidised, the impurities rising to the top in the form of a scum, while the pure, translucent phosphorus remains at the bottom of the vessel. Another method of purification, which consists in boiling the crude product with caustic potash, is said to yield a very pure article. The largest amount of phosphorus is now produced in this country, but the Reporter is unable to give any data respecting the quantity. He states, however, that one French house-that of MM. Coignet, of Lyons-turns out 1680 cwts. per annum. The process for manufacturing amorphous phosphorus is not described; but, as most of our readers know, it consists in exposing ordinary phosphorus to a high temperature for a considerable time. An uncertain amount of ordinary phosphorus is always left unconverted, on the complete removal of which the value of the new article entirely depends. This is effected by means of bisulphide of carbon, in which amorphous phosphorus is insoluble; but as it is extremely dangerous to employ large quantities of the bisulphide, the process of purification is carried on as follows:-The crude red phosphorus is only moistened with the bisulphide, and the mixture is then agitated with a solution of chloride of calcium, sp. gr. 1.26-1.38. Heat is afterwards applied, and the bisulphide of carbon, charged with the ordinary phosphorus, rises to the surface, from which it can be easily removed. M. Coignet effects the purification by boiling with caustic soda ley, which dissolves ordinary phosphorus, converting it into hypophosphite of soda with the evolution of phosphuretted hydrogen. When the evolution of the latter ceases, the residual powder is washed and dried. A good deal of interesting information respecting lucifer matches is given, but for this we have no space; but we cannot refrain from quoting the concluding paragraphs of this section-On Lucifer Matches without Phosphorus. "The solution of this problem has been attempted by several eminent manufacturers, but their endeavours have not yet led to any satisfactory result. "The very comprehensive and systematic labours of Wiederhold are beginning to throw more light upon this hitherto somewhat superficially treated branch of chemical technology. From his researches it appears that lucifer matches of good quality may be made with chlorate of potassium and hyposulphite of lead, a result which may prove most valuable should experience show it to be attainable on an industrial scale. "The total elimination of phosphorus from the lucifer match manufacture would, indeed, be a grand achievement, not merely on sanitary grounds, or as diminishing fire risks, but also because it would liberate, for agricultural purposes, a large quantity of bones now consumed in the preparation of free phosphorus. No worthier object than this could engage the attention of an honourable class of manufacturers; and it is the Reporter's earnest hope that, before the Exhibition of 1872 shall have come round, phosphorus matches may be an obsolete appellation." The Report next treats of several miscellaneous mineral products, an account of which we must postpone. NOTICES OF PATENTS. 2330. Improvements in the Manufacture of Ammonia and the Prussiates of Potash or Soda. W. H. HUTCHINSON, Newton Heath, near Manchester. Dated August 20, 1862. (Not proceeded with.) THESE improvements refer to the manufacture of ammonia and the prussiates of potash and soda from the refuse gluten and nitrogenous matters obtained in the preparation of starch. To obtain the first-named product, the gluten or other matters are submitted to destructive distillation in retorts, with lime, or soda and lime, the gaseous products being collected in suitable condensers. The crude liquor thus obtained may then be purified by neutralising with an acid, filtering the solution, and evaporating to crystallisation or by sublimation. The alkaline prussiates are obtained by fusing the gluten with potash or soda in an iron retort or open vessel. The fused mass is then lixiviated with water, filtered, and the solution crystallised by evaporation and cooling. Or, the prussiates may be obtained by passing the gaseous products disengaged, during the destructive distillation of the gluten, over a mixture of charcoal and potash, or soda, heated to redness in a second retort. The charcoal is then lixiviated as before, in order to furnish the prussiate. The second part of the invention refers to improvements in the apparatus for conducting these processes. 2355. Cleaning Organic Matter. F. T. MOISON, Paris.-Benzol, 80 parts; ether, 10 parts; and powdered Dated August 23, 1862. (Not proceeded with.) camphor, 10 parts. These are introduced into a closed THIS invention consists in a mode of treating wool and vessel, provided with sponge or other absorbent material, other fibrous matters, when charged with oleaginous sub- and a current of air is then forced through this chamber, stances, with the object of separating the latter from the which on its escape may, by virtue of its impregnation wool or other fibre. This is effected by volatile hydro- with the vapour of these inflammable substances, be burnt carbons, or the bisulphide of carbon, employed as solvents, at a jet exactly in the same manner as coal gas. When which are by pressure forced through the wool or fabrics adapted to table lamps, the inventor employs a small fan, so as to dissolve and carry off the fatty matters, the liquid set in motion by clock-work, for the purpose of generating being afterwards submitted to distillation for the purpose an air blast, or the heat caused by the combustion of the of recovering the solvent for a new application, and for gas itself may be used as a means of establishing the obtaining the fat in a separate form. necessary current of air. The apparatus may be of a diminutive character, and in this form can be applied to walking-canes, cigar-cases, &c. The inventor claims, likewise, the mode of combustion herein described as one suitable for employment with the lighter petroleum and coal oils. 2372. Manufacture of Paper and other Productions in which Fibrous Material is employed. HENRY HARBEN, Haverstock-hill, London. Dated August 27, 1862. (Not proceeded with.) THIS proposal refers to the use of sea-weed, or other aquatic vegetable productions, in the preparation of pulp for paper-making. The weed is first washed in fresh water, and then bleached by treatment with liquid or gaseous chlorine, or a solution of chloride of lime; or, for the purpose of dissolving the colouring matter, steeped in dilute alcohol or wood-spirit. The material is then reduced to pulp by any one of the known processes. In the Times newspaper, and subsequently at the Cambridge Meeting of the British Association, Mr. Harben advocated the policy of instituting a thorough investigation of the weed known under the name of "Zostera marina,' the fibres of which, he believed, were capable of being used as a substitute for cotton. This proposal has not yet been turned to practical account in the manufacture of textile fabrics; but the application of such fibres to paper-making appears to have been attended with better success. idea did not, however, originate with Mr. Harben, inasmuch as a patent for the same invention had already been granted, some fourteen months earlier, to M. Mennons, of Paris. The history of this and other claims referring to Zostera marina as a material for paper-making has been fully discussed at page 214 of our Sixth Volume. This 2380. Producing Light for the Various Purposes of Artificial Illumination. W. E. NEWTON, Chancery Lane, London. Dated August 27, 1862. THIS specification describes a new mode of producing the lime light, by the employment of jets of coal-gas or hydro For this last application there are other claimants who have devised as many different plans of impregnation, but all appear to be founded upon the same general principle.◄ 2426. Manufacture of Muriate of Ammonia. W. HUNT, Tipton. Dated September 2, 1862. THE inventor claims a novel mode of manufacturing chloride of ammonium, by passing a current of nitrogen gas or atmospheric air along with the vapour of hydrochloric acid through burning coal or coke; or, in a similar manner, through ignited fuel with which has been previously mixed one of the chlorides of iron or manganese, or any chloride which is capable of yielding chlorine or hydrochloric acid at that temperature. It is known that small quantities of ammonia are generated whenever air and aqueous vapours are passed through a tube containing ignited coke or charcoal, and we have observed the formation of sal-ammoniac under circumstances in which common salt has been present. A sublimate of chloride of ammonium often collects in the interstices and upon the top of a stack of burning bricks, particularly at an early stage of the operation. With a different object, viz., the elimination of the sulphur, Professor Crace Calvert passes a current of hydrochloric acid vapour through burning coal during its conversion into coke. In some instances, chloride of sodium, instead of hydrochloric acid, has been employed for effecting the same purpose. 2446. Manufacture of a Blue Colouring Matter. W. CLARK, Chancery Lane, London. A communication. Dated September 4, 1862. FOR the production of this blue colouring matter the inventor mixes together equal parts by weight of magenta red and crystallised toluidine, and heats them to the temperature of about 300 Fahr. (or any point between 270 and 324° Fahr.) for a period of five or six hours. The product will consist mainly of the new colouring matter in a pasty condition mixed with the excess of toluidine, which it is advantageous to employ. By treat gen in combination with others delivering a blast of atmospheric air which has been previously heated to such a degree as will make it serve like pure oxygen as a supporter of combustion. The compound flame is directed in the usual manner upon balls or cylinders of lime to produce a light of great intensity. A second claim refers to the utilisation of heated air in other instances of combustion, particularly in the case of lamps burning oil, or liquid hydrocarbons, and gas flames of every description, which thus become as intensely brilliant as the Bude light. Much evidence could be adduced in favour of employ-ing now with dilute hydrochloric acid (one part of acid to ing a heated current of air as a means of promoting the combustion of oils and fuels; its adaptation to these purposes is happily conceived, and likely to be successful. The principle of the hot blast in urging the combustion of the fuel and in raising the temperature of the furnaces has led to great results in the manufacture of iron. 2421. Obtaining Light and Heat. W. CLARK, Chancery eight or ten parts of water), the whole of this latter basic substance may be dissolved, especially with the aid of heat, leaving the colouring matter in a state of purity, and fit for dyeing and printing when combined with suitable solvents. The advantage of associating toluidine with aniline in the manufacture of this class of colouring matters was pointed out by Professor Hofmann (vide CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. viii., p. 4), and has been already alluded to in our reDated Septem-marks appended to Mr. Nicholson's patent. It is, perhaps, Ingham and Wood includes the use of toluidine in the an open question whether the prior claim of Messrs. preparation of their blue colouring matter. THIS invention refers to an improved method of lighting and heating by means of certain inflammable mixtures of air and vaporised hydrocarbons; also to apparatus suitable for the combustion of the said gaseous mixtures. The fuel employed consists of the following ingredients, viz. : • Vide CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. vii., P, 277. Ibid., vol. viii., p. 151. |