206 Miscellaneous Intelligence, 



verted into sulphate of lime. The first experiment was then re- 

 peated, with the difference of using" hydrated sulphuric acid of 

 specitic gravity 1.842, and there was instantly much fluoric acid 

 produced, which acted upon the glass. 



As Berzelius found 100 parts of fluor spar, when acted upon by 

 sulphuric acid, to yield 175 parts of sulphate of lime, equal to 

 73.553 parts of lime, or 52.819 of calcium, it follows that 100 

 parts of fluoride of calcium should contain 47.181 of fluorine and 

 52.819 of calcium. By the assistance of this result, and further 

 experiments, M. Kuhlman proceeded to ascertain the composition of 

 hydro-fluoric acid. Dry muriatic acid gas was passed over cal- 

 cined fluor spar heated to redness in a tube of platina ; the fluoride 

 of calcium was decomposed, free hydro-fluoric acid was evolved, 

 and chloride of lime remained in the tube. The hydro-fluoric acid 

 acted upon the glass tubes, but being received in water was entirely 

 dissolved, with the exception of the silica it had separated from 

 the glass : no trace of hydrogen appeared. One hundred parts of 

 fluoride of calcium thus treated became 143.437 parts of chloride 

 of calcium, the 52.819 parts of calcium having united to 90.598 

 parts of chlorine. But this latter quantity must have liberated 

 2.511 parts of hydrogen, which must, therefore, have combined with 

 the 47.181 parts of fluorine in the spar, to form 49.692 parts of 

 hydro-fluoric acid. This latter body, therefore, consists of 94.941 

 fluorine, and 5.059 of hydrogen per cent. A small quantity of 

 chlorine was set at liberty during the experiment, the author thinks, 

 from a little manganese in the fluor spar. 



M. Kuhlman found that all the chlorides, when subjected to the 

 action of anhydrous sulphuric acid in vapour, resisted decomposi- 

 tion, except the chloride of sodium, which gave a small quantity 

 of sulphate of soda, and a double salt of soda and platina, crys- 

 tallizing in fine needles of a yellow colour. No doubt is enter- 

 tained that, in the latter case, the common salt and sulphuric acid 

 were not perfectly dry. — BulL Univ. 



14. Crystallization of Phosphorus. — By the fusion and careful 

 refrigeration of a large quantity of phosphorus, M. Frantween has 

 obtained very fine crystals of an octoedral form, and as large in 

 size as a cherry-stone. ; uwwjv, '• 



15. Solutions of Phosphorus in Oils. — The solutions of phos- 

 phorus in fixed oils are so luminous as often to be resorted to for 

 the exhibition of this peculiar property of phosphorus ; but M. 

 Walcker has remarked, that the power which they ordinarily possess 

 is instantaneously destroyed by the addition of small quantities 

 only of certain other substances, as the essential oils. The rectified 

 oils of turpentine and amber, the oils of rosemary, bergamotte, 

 lemon, camomile, angelica root, juniper berries, and parsley seed, 



