ia22.] Scientific Intelligence, 469' 



VII. Lampic Acid. 



In the 6th vol. of Institution Journal, Mr. Daniell published an 

 account of the acid formed by the slow combustion of ether, and 

 which, for reasons that are well known, he denominated lampic acid. , 



The circumstances under which this acid is generated, connected 

 with the fact that a given weight of it combined with barytes, 

 yielded almost precisely the same quantity of sulphate of bary- 

 tes, as would be given by an equal weight of acetate of barytes, 

 induced me to suspect that the acid in question was not a peculiar, 

 but merely acetic acid ; the difference depending upon an ad- 

 mixture of ether. Mr. Daniell has since repeated and published the 

 results of his experiments. — (Institution Journal, vol. 12, p. 64".) 

 Several of these I had an opportunity of witnessing, and was cer- 

 tainly persuaded that my first impression was erroneous, and that the 

 compound possessed such properties, as entitled it to be considered as 

 a peculiar acid. By continuing and varying his experiments, Mr, 

 Daniell has, however, arrived at the conclusion, that the acid formed 

 during the combustion of the ether is, in fact, the acetic; but com- 

 bined with a substance of a highly disoxygenizing nature, different from 

 ether, and of a resinous quality, and which Mr. Daniell considers to be 

 a compound of hydrogen, carbon, and azote, and he has named it 

 hydro carburet of azote. It appears to consist nearly of 



4 atoms of carbon 300 



1 atom of azote 17*5 



1 1 atoms of hydrogen 11'5 



fEditJ 



VIII. Preservation of Anatomical Specimens. 



Dr. Macartney, of the Dublin University, has for some time em- 

 ployed a solution of alum and nitre, for the purpose of preserving 

 anatomibal preparations. He finds that it preserves the natural ap- 

 pearances of most parts of the body, more completely than spirits, or 

 any other fluid heretofore used. The proportions of the alum and 

 nitre, and the strength of the solution require to be varied according 

 to circumstances ; and in order thoroughly to impregnate the anatomi- 

 cal preparation, the liquor must be for some time occasionally re- 

 newed. The solution possesses such antiseptic powers, that the most 

 putrid and offensive animal substances are rendered perfectly free from 

 fcetor by it in a few days. — (Med. Rep. xvii. p. 169.) 



IX. Native Nitrate of Soda. 

 M. Mariano de Rivero states that a bed of nitrate of soda, several 

 feet thick, and more than 40 leagues in length, has been discovered in 

 Tarapaca, a district of Peru. In some places, the bed appears at the 

 surface; it is sometimes in a crystalline state, but most frequently 

 mixed with clay and sand ; it is deliquescent, and suffers the same 

 changes in the fire as nitrate of potash. The place where it occurs is 

 three days' journey from Conception, a port of Chili, and from Iquiqui, 

 another port, situate in the southern part of Peru. More than 60,000 

 quintals have been already brought there for sale.— (Ann. de Mines.) 



