92 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



with platinum, while without the latter metal the chemical 

 action is very energetic. It is now stated that the same re- 

 sult is obtained with platinum and cadmium when treated 

 with nitric acid of 1.47 specific gravity. The acid acts very 

 energetically upon the cadmium by itself, but if the latter is 

 brought in contact with a sufficient quantity of platinum, both 

 the acid and the platinum remained unchanged. For these 

 experiments the cadmium may be wrapped around with pla- 

 tinum wire or platinum foil. If the acid be reduced with wa- 

 ter, the decomposition of the cadmium commences at a cer- 

 tain point of dilution. 18 C,JVov. 8,1871,709. 



COMPOUND NATURE OF CATHAETINE. 



A substance obtained some years ago from senna, and 

 named cathartine, under the supposition that it contained 

 the active principle of the plant, has lately been ascertained 

 by Bongoin to consist of three distinct substances chryso- 

 phanic acid, dextro-rotary glucose, and chrysophanine. 21 

 A.Feb., 1872, 152. 



CARBAZOL AND CARBAZOLINE. 



In the process of purifying crude anthracene, a solid hydro- 

 carbon has been discovered which is considered new, and is 

 named carbazol. This substance crystallizes, is insoluble in 

 water, but soluble by the aid of heat in ether, alcohol, and 

 benzol ; fuses at 460 Fahr., boils at 640 Fahr., and is not de- 

 composed at red heat, nor affected at that temperature by the 

 contact of zinc dust and soda lime. It is soluble without de- 

 composition in strong sulphuric acid ; is not decomposed by 

 fusing caustic potassa, but is attacked violently by oxidizing 

 substances. When heated for some hours in a sealed tube, 

 along with a mixture of amorphous, phosphorus, and hydri- 

 odic acid, another substance, called carbazoline, is obtained, 

 which is solid, readily soluble in alcohol, ether, and benzol, 

 and yields with acid salts that are easily dissolved in water. 

 \ A.Feb. 2,1872,57. 



ABIETINE, A NEW HYDROCARBON. 



Dr. William Wenzell has announced to the California Phar- 

 maceutical Society the discovery of a new hydrocarbon, which 

 he calls abietine. This is the product of distillation of the 



