430 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



Thinking that this analysis required repetition, M. Boussingault ex- 

 amined both the crystallized and sublimed acid, and found them similar 

 in composition. The crystallized acid was in fine lamellar pearly 

 crystals, which were dried by exposure to the air j the sublimed acid 

 was perfectly white ; it had a granular fracture, because it. fused in the 

 neck of the retort into which it was sublimed. Their composition 

 was as follows : 



Crystallized. Sublimed. 



Carbon.. 540 54-1 



Hydrogen 3-9 38 



Oxygen 42" I . . 42- 1 



100-0 1000 



As pyromucic acid requires a temperature above 275° Fahr., and as 

 it is of the same composition as the crystallized acid, it is evident that 

 the latter contains no water of crystallization. In order to ascertain 

 in what state pyromucic acid exists in salts, pyromucate of silver was 

 analysed j this salt was prepared by adding pyromucate of lime to a 

 solution of nitrate of silver, and allowing the mixture to stand for seve- 

 ral days. The pyromucate was strongly pressed in filtering-paper, and 

 continued for a long time exposed to a temperature of 257° Fahr. 

 By the analysis of this salt, the composition of the acid it contained 

 appeared to be 



10 Carbon 764-4 or 587 



6 Hydrogen 37'4 — 31 



5 Oxygen 5000 — 382 



1301-8 100-0 



It appears, then, that when it combines with bases, the sublimed acid 

 loses an atom of water. Hydrated pyromucic acid possesses the same 

 composition as the pyrocitric acid, contained in the pyrocitrates. In 

 fact, pyrocitric acid is composed of 



Carbon 54*1 



Hydrogen 3*5 



Oxygen 42*4 



1000 

 Ann de Chim. et de Phys., tome lviii. p. 106. 



ANALYSTS OF GADOLINITE. 



Dr. Thomson and Mr. Steel give the following as the composition 



of gadolinite : Silica 2433 



Yttria 4533 



Protoxide of cerium .. 4*33 



Glucina 11-60 



Protoxide of iron . . . . 13*59 



Platinum trace 



Manganese trace 



Moisture 098 



10016 



