CHEMICAL SCIENCE. 223 



Paper Parchment. Mr. Thomas Taylor communicates to the Chemical 

 News a new process of making: this curious substance. Instead of immers- 

 ing; the paper in dilute sulphuric acid, he employs a concentrated solution of 

 chloride of zinc. The paper is reduced in volume, but made tougher, stronger, 

 and semi-transparent. The highest effect is produced by using the solution 

 hot. Pieces of paper thus saturated can be iinited by ironing. 



On the Cleaning of Glasses, etc. There is often a difficulty in cleaning- 

 glasses or porcelain capsules to which organic matters have adhered and in 

 course of time have become so hard and dry as to resist all solvents. The 

 following; process will be found to answer in almost every case : The spots 

 to be cleaned are moistened with concentrated sulphuric acid, and powdered 

 bichromate of potaifU is sprinkled upon the acid; the objects are then left 

 standing for some bours (through the night) in a moderately warm place. 

 All organic matters are by this means destroyed, with formation of sulphate 

 of chromium, which may be removed by water with the residue of the acid. 

 Dingier's Polytechnic Journal. 



Colored Flames. Mr. A. H. Church, writing in the Chemical News, states 

 that blotting paper prepared like gun cotton, by ten minutes' immersion in 

 four parts of sulphuric and five of strong fuming nitric acid, and then 

 washed and dried, produces beautiful flames if soaked in chloride of stron- 

 tium, or barium, or copper, or nitrate of potassa. Pellets thus prepared 

 and thrown alight into the air produce a flash of intense light. The barium 

 salt gives a green color, strontium a crimson, potassa a yellow, and copper 

 a fine blue. 



New Material for Pencils. Some black lead in powder mixed with India- 

 rubber in solution, a small quantity of lampblack and some finely powdered 

 charcoal, are incorporated together and subjected to great pressure. This 

 forces out all the moisture and reduces the mixture to a hard block, which 

 may be subdivided and cut out into suitable lengths for pencils. A patent 

 has been taken out for this pencil composition by R. J. Cole, of London. 



Oxalic Acid abounds in certain of our culinary vegetables; and it may 

 undoubtedly be employed to a certain extent with impunity. Still, it is not 

 a desirable ingredient in human sustenance; and I am in the habit, when 

 the opportunity offers, of telling housekeepers to throw away the first water 

 which exudes in cooking rhubarb, now so generally used; that is to say, if 

 rhubarb intended for tarts or pies be first heated in an oven, after being 

 peeled and otherwise made ready for cooking, before the sugar is added, it 

 will be found to discharge a large quantity of a watery, and, at the same 

 time, very acid juice. When this water, containing mixed acids, is rejected, 

 the rhubarb forms a very much more agreeable, as well as much moi*e 

 wholesome dish. Dr. McCormac.c, in the London Medical Times. 



CEnanthic Acid. It will be remembered that Liebeg and Pelouze many 

 years ago announced the discovery of an ethereal essence which gave the 

 rich flavor to wine, and which they styled oenanthic ether. Their researches 

 were followed up by other investigators, and oenanthic acid took its place in 

 chemistry. Mr. A. Fischer now announces that this acid does not exist, and 

 that what has received the name is merely a composition of caprylic and 

 capric acid. 



Quinic Acid in the Herb of the WJiortleberry. Messrs. Zwenger and Siebert 

 (Annalender Clrimie u. Pharmacie, July, 1800) have found that several plants 

 belonging to the family of Ericinese, among them the Vaccinium Myrtillus, 



