CHEMICAL SCIENCE. 205 



of an outside dose of guano ; consequently he was justified in saying 

 that the property is practically of immense activity. Prof. Way 

 stated, that he was first led into this train of investigation by having 

 been informed that urine, by being passed through certain filtering 

 substances, might be entirely deprived of its coloring matter and odor, 

 lie professed himself unable to account for the effect thus simply pro- 

 duced on chemical principles, but he considered them as fertile in a 

 series of new facts, which will lead not only to new views of chemical 

 combination, under peculiar mechanical conditions, but also to a mod- 

 ification of the theory of the mode by which manure is preserved in 

 the soil until required as the food of plants, and to immediate applica- 

 tion in practical agriculture. Albany Cultivator. 



DISCOVERIES IN RELATION TO PEAT. 



DURING the year 1849, Lord Ashley and others startled the British 

 House of Commons by an announcement that a method had been dis- 

 covered by which Irish peat could be made to yield a variety of prod- 

 ucts of the most valuable kind, which would realize in the market a 

 profit of upwards of 100 per cent. Much excitement was created by it 

 at the time, and it was boasted that Ireland had at length found a 

 means of wealth that would raise her forthwith to the height of pros- 

 perity. A few explanations, however, showed that, although the prod- 

 ucts mentioned could undoubtedly be obtained, there was no satisfac- 

 tory evidence as to the real cost of the process and its consequent 

 profit. Since that time little has been heard of the alleged discovery, 

 until within a recent period, when a patent was granted for improve- 

 ments in treating peat, and other carbonaceous and ligneous matters, 

 so as to obtain products therefrom. The following is an abstract of 

 the specifications, as given in the London Patent Journal. The first 

 part of the improvement relates to the pressing of peat, by means of 

 roller-presses suitably arranged for the purpose. The peat thus 

 pressed and dried is next to be distilled in iron retorts, the patentee 

 preferring those made of sheet-iron, and, if practicable, one placed 

 within the other, so that the products obtained from the distillation 

 may pass between the inner and outer retort, and escape through an 

 exit-pipe in the outer. This exit-pipe dips into a strong iron box or 

 condenser below the surface of the water contained therein ; a pipe 

 from this condenser communicates with others ; these are fitted with 

 taps to draw off the liquid products of distillation, and the gases pass 

 off into the hydraulic main. If the gas does not possess sufficient illu- 

 minating powers, a portion of coal-tar, or some of the fatty matter of 

 the previous distillation of peat is placed in the retort with the peat. 

 Forty per cent, of charcoal may be obtained by removing the peat- 

 charcoal from the retort after the distillation is completed ; carbonic 

 acid being applied to extinguish the combustion. This charcoal may 

 be pressed into the form of bricks, for use in locomotives, marine en- 

 gines, &c. ; or, if required very pure, it undergoes the same process 

 as animal charcoal. The next improvement relates to the use of peat- 

 gas for the purposes of light and heat. As peat-gas does not possess 



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