The above analyses give for the composition of the stone: Nickeliferous iron Magnetic pyrites Olivine... Bronzite, a hornblende, with a little albite or orthoclase, and chrome iron. 14.63 3.06 43.04 39.27 With the bronzite there may also be enstatite, which would be confounded with the former, if existing in the stone. ART. XXX.-Discovery of a new Planet; by Prof. C. H. F. PETERS. From a letter to one of the editors, dated Litchfield Observatory of Hamilton College, Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 27, 1871. A small planet, the 114th of the group of asteroids, was discovered here in the night from the 23d to the 24th inst., and the following accurate positions hitherto have been obtained of it: 1871. Ham.Coll. m.t. App. a (114)| App. d (114) | h m 8 h m 8 July 24. 15 14 45 21 43 27-85-10 12 16.8 (by 6 comp'sons with Schj. 8925) 46 26. 12 18 4 21 42 66 8-35-10 20 26.0 (by 12 "W. 21 h. 954) Hence follow the daily motions resp. -42-3 and −4′ 21′′. The magnitude of the planet was estimated this morning in a very fine sky to be 12.3. As it is still about a month yet until opposition, it will become considerably brighter. The planet Fortuna (19) runs nearly parallel to it, distant only one degree, being, however, of the 9th magnitude. ART. XXXI.—On a new Planet; by JAMES C. WATSON. From a letter to one of the editors, dated Observatory, Ann Arbor, August 7, 1871. I noticed last night a star of the tenth magnitude near Weisse XXI, 462, and a single comparison gave the following place: A subsequent comparison showed that it had moved, and the following observations were made: 1871, Aug. 6. 12h 24m 48.6 21h 21m 48.64 6. 14 3 36.1 21 20 59.77 6. 14 59 1.1 21 20 57.19 Daily motion, Aα=-698-5 ad=+1′59′′. The planet shines like a star of the tenth magnitude. SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. I. CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS. 1. On the existence and formation of Salts of Nitrous Oxide. -The reduction of an alkaline nitrate to nitrite by means of sodium was observed by Schönbein, but the further action of the metal upon the nitrite itself has not hitherto been studied. DIVERS finds that an amalgam of sodium reduces the nitrite to a salt of nitrous oxide, the successive stages of the reaction being represented by the equations 2 Na NO+Na Na NO2+Na2e, So that four atoms of sodium are required for the reduction of one molecule of the nitrate. The reduction of the nitrite is accompanied by the evolution of pure nitrous oxide, and the author explains this by the mutual reaction of two molecules of the new salt according to the equation Na NO+Na NO=N20+Na2O. After neutralization by acetic acid, the alkaline liquid gives a yellow pulverulent precipitate with argentic nitrate. This precipitate has the formula, AgNO: it is almost as insoluble as argentic chloride, and may be washed with hot water without change. Light does not decompose this salt; ammonia and ammonic carbonate dissolve it; and acetic acid precipitates it from the solution unchanged. Dilute nitric and sulphuric acids dissolve the salt without immediate decomposition; alkalies precipitate the salt unchanged. It is instantly oxidized by concentrated nitric acid, with production of copious red fumes. Soluble chlorides and sulphuric acid also decompose it. When heated to redness, pure silver finally remains, nitric oxide, metallic silver and a little argentic nitrate being at first formed. When the alkaline liquid containing the sodic salt is neutralized with dilute nitric acid, it gives precipitates with various other metallic salts. The author promises a farther investigation of this very interesting subject, and meantime purposes to call the new acid, NOH, either hypo-nitrous or hydro-nitroxylic acid.—Proc. Royal Society, xix, p. 425. W. G. 2. On a remarkable group of Mercurial Colloids.-By the action of mercuric chloride upon an alkaline solution of acetone, and submission of the mixture to dialysis, REYNOLDS has obtained a compound of mercuric oxide with acetone, having the formula {CO (CH3)2}2Hg3ẹ3. This substance forms the type of a new and curious group of organic bodies distinguished by their essential colloid or gelatinous character. A solution of the acetone compound, containing five per cent., remains fluid, if pure, for twelve or fourteen days, and then sets to a firm jelly. The same result is produced in a few seconds by the addition of very minute traces of various acids, alkalies and salts. Even some insoluble powders, like calcic carbonate and alumina induce pectization. Elevation of temperature quickly produces the same effect: thus, with a five per cent solution, a firm jelly is produced by heating to 50° C. The solution, when evaporated to dryness, yields a resinoid mass of the anhydrous compound. By the action of alcohol upon the one per cent solution, the author obtained what Graham termed the alcosol of the new body. This gelatinized by long boiling to form the alcogel. Acetone-mercuric oxide appears to be an extremely feeble but well marked tetrabasic acid. The dry salts are resinoid bodies very difficult to obtain in a state of perfect purity. Several other ketones of the fatty acid series are capable of forming compounds analogous to that described above. The higher compounds are, however, insoluble in water, so that it is difficult to obtain their colloidal hydrates or hydrosols. The anhydrous butyrone compound has the formula € (CH3)2} Hg, 3. Elthylic aldehyde forms with mercuric oxide a white non-crystalline compound, but does not give a colloid liquid.— Proc. Royal Society, xix, p. 431. W. G. 2 3. On a new Synthesis of Acids.-VON RICHTER has given a new method of forming organic acids likely to be fertile in interesting results. This method consists in acting upon Ne2 compounds with potassic cyanide so as to produce the corresponding cyanides, which are then to be boiled with an alcoholic solution of caustic potash as long as ammonia is evolved. The liquid then contains an organic salt of potassium, from which the acid may easily be obtained. Thus, in the case of bromo-nitrobenzol we have 6 4 2 6 4 €2H2Br NO2+K€N=¤ ̧H ̧¤y Br+KN→2, this being the only part of the process which is really new. When treated in this manner, ortho-bromonitrobenzol (fusing point 125° C.), yields ortho-bromobenzoic acid, o€,H,B202. Metabromonitrobenzol (fusing point 56° C.), in like manner yields metabromobenzoic acid, me,H,B202, while para-bromonitrobenzol (fusing point 37° C.) does not react with potassic cyanide. The corresponding chloronitrobenzols were also studied. Orthochloronitrobenzol (fusing point 84° C.) yields orthochlorobenzoic acid, 0H,Br2. On the other hand, a chloronitrobenzol (fusing at 46° C.) gave chlorosalylic acid, which, when fused with potash, yielded salicylic acid.-Berichte der Deutschen Chem. Gesell., iv, p. 457. 6 5 2. W. G. 4. On Gallein.-When pyrogallic acid is fused with phthalic acid, hydrous, or better anhydrous, the fused mass dissolved in water yields a new coloring matter in small granular crystals, which Baeyer terms gallein. The new substance is brown-red by reflected and blue by transmitted light, and when obtained by evaporating its solution to dryness, exhibits a peculiar yellow metallic lustre. Water dissolves it with difficulty, giving a red, alcohol easily, giving a dark red, solution. Caustic potash dissolves it with a magnificent blue color, which after some time AM. JOUR. SCI.-THIRD SERIES, VOL. II, No. 9.-SEPT., 1871. 18 17 18 16 6 becomes dirty; ammonia gives a violet solution. The author remarks that gallein closely resembles hæmatein, which by fusion with caustic potash yields pyrogallic acid. In like manner, as hæmatein, with reducing agents, yields hæmatoxylin, which may again be oxidized to hæmatin, so gallein may be reduced to gallin, a beautifully crystallized substance, which, when moistened with ammonia, again yields gallein. Stuffs mordanted with alumina or ferric oxide are dyed red by gallein, the color being intermediate between that of logwood and brazilwood. The constitution of gallein appears to be represented by the formula €19H,,,: it appears clearly to belong to the family of the coloring matters of logwood and brazilwood, and is therefore the first artificial dyestuff of this group. Gallin has probably the formula €,,H,,,: it crystallizes in beautiful lustrous rhombohedrons and prisms. It dyes mordanted stuffs like gallein. When gallein is heated with 20 parts of concentrated sulphuric acid to 200° C., a new substance is formed, which, when purified, presents a bluish-black mass, and which Baeyer terms cœrulein. This body dissolves in hot anilin with a magnificent indigo-blue color. The solution, after adding a little acetic acid, dyes wool indigo-blue. The formula of coerulein is €,,H1006. By reduction, it passes into cœrulin, which dissolves in ether with a yellow color, the solution exhibiting a beautiful green fluorescence. Cœrulin appears also to be formed directly by the action of sulphuric acid upon gallin. Coerulein dissolves in alkalies with a green color, and gives a green lake with the earths. Stuffs mordanted with alumina are dyed green; those with ferric oxide brown; the colors appear to be as fast as those of madder. The author points out its resemblance to the Lo Kao of the Chinese. Phthalic acid heated with resorcin yields two coloring matters, fluorescein and fluorescin. The former dyes silk and wool of a beautiful yellow without mordants, and exhibits in solution a magnificent green fluorescence. The author promises a further investigation of this interesting and possibly important subject.— Berichte der Deutschen Chem. Gesell., iv, p. 457 and p. 555. 18 W. G. 5. Decomposition of Chromite; by R. HITCHCOCK.-Chromite is one of the most difficult minerals to decompose, and, although there have been many processes given to effect its analysis, they have generally accomplished the purpose rather unsatisfactorily. The process given by F. W. Clarke, and published some time ago in this Journal, wherein potassic di-sulphate and cryolite are used, undoubtedly effects the decomposition of the ore; but the amount of sulphate and cryolite required is so great, and the ** chromium dissolves in such a form, that I have never been able to obtain tolerable results by this method. A number of experiments have convinced me that the process 1 given below is equal, if not superior, to any I have yet tried, both in accuracy as well as rapidity of manipulation. The process is this place about 0-3 grm. of the mineral in a capacious platinum crucible, add a piece of ammonic-fluoride about the size of a pea; moisten the whole with a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid, heat gently until the free acid is expelled. Add now a small piece of potassic disulphate, and bring the mass to a tranquil fusion, maintaining it so for a few moments. Allow to cool, and add a mixture of four parts of potassic and sodic carbonates with one of nitre; fuse gradually, and when the mass becomes tranquil maintain it fused for about fifteen minutes. If cooled by placing the crucible on a plate of cold iron, the mass is readily detached. It is then dissolved in boiling water, and the solution filtered from the residue of iron, which still retains some chromium, and must be again fused with the mixture of carbonates and nitre above given. Sometimes this second fusion requires to be repeated, but for practical purposes this is unnecessary if the previous operations have been well conducted. The bulk of all three filtrates need not be over 200 c.c. The chromium may be estimated by cautiously acidifying the solution, reducing the chromium to the state of sesquioxide by means of sulphurous acid solution, and precipitating by ammonic hydrate. If the Bunsen method of filtration is used, the large amount of alkali present does not materially affect the results. If manganese is present in the ore, it may be determined from the alkaline solution. One advantage of this method is, that there is no troublesome evaporation required to separate silicon. Results of parallel analyses: 1. Chromite 3 2888 per cent Cr2O, 50450 •177 I am confident that with more experience still better results may be obtained. II. GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 1. Address to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, by THOMAS STERRY HUNT, LL.D., on retiring from the office of President of the Association, Indianapolis, Aug. 16, 1871. 62 pp. 8vo.-Dr. Hunt takes for the themes of his address, first the geology of the Appalachians, especially the history of researches and views with regard to the New England section of this chain; and secondly, the origin and nature of the changes which crystalline rocks have undergone; setting forth under each the labors of others in connection with his own, and also the conclusions to which he has been led. He first divides the crystalline rocks of the chain into three series, draws out the distinctive lithological characteristics of each, and maintains that they belong to different geological eras. They are I. The Adirondack or Laurentide Series, which is marked by firm granitic gneisses, often very coarse-grained, and generally reddish or grayish in color," often hornblendic, and little micaceous, and including great beds of magnetic iron ore, and much graphite; but without argillites, or slates containing staurolite, andalusite or cyanite. |