290 S^entific Notieu^Chmhiry. [Nov. 



oxide of lead, while the cafein, not combining with it, crystal- 

 lizes afterwards from the filtered infusion. — (Journal de Pharm.) 



3, Iodine found in the Mineral Spring of Bonnington, near 

 Leith. (Extract of a Letter to Prof. Jameson from Dr. Tucker.) 



. . . .The Bonnington mineral water, in addition to the other 

 substances hitherto discovered in it, contains iodine, which may 

 be readily detected by the following method : — Evaporate a pint 

 of the water to dryness ; take up the soluble parts in a drachm 

 or two of a diluted solution of starch quite cold, and add a few 

 drops of concentrated sulphuric acid ; the characteristic blue 

 colour will then make its appearance. I prefer the use of 

 sulphuric to nitric acid or chlorme for decomposing the hydrio- 

 dic acid, for it effects that object with certamty, and does not 

 decompose the iodole of starch, or prevent its formation^ as the 

 last two are apt to do. 



The greater part of the iron in the Bonnington water is under 

 the form of the carbonate of iron, which is held in solution by 

 carbonic acid. It also contains the muriatic and sulphuric acids 

 in combination with lime, magnesia, and soda; the last of which 

 is the predominating base. Potash is also present, and forms 

 the hydriodate of potash with the hydriodic acid. Its quantity, 

 however, is more than sufficient for saturating that acid ; for the 

 residual salts still contain it after the hydriodate of potash hasj 

 been removed by alcohol. 



I have examined portions of water, the springs of Harrowgate, 

 Moffat, and Pitcaithly, but could discover in them no trace of 

 iodine (Edin. New Phil. Journ.) 



4. Fluidity of Sulphur at commoti Temperatures, 

 Mr. Faraday having placed a Florence flask containing sulphur 

 upon a hot sand-bath, it was left to itself. Next morning the bath 

 being cold, it was found that the flask had broken, and in con- 

 sequence of the sulphur running out, nearly the whole of it had 

 disappeared. The flask being broken open, was examined, and 

 was found lined with a sulphur dew, consisting of large and 

 small globules intermixed. The greater number of these, per- 

 haps two thirds, were in the usual opaque solid state ; the remain- 

 der were fluid, although the temperature had been for some 

 hours that of the atmosphere. On touching one of these drops, 

 it immediately became solid, crystalline, and opaque, assuming 

 the ordinary state of sulphur, and perfectly resembling the others 

 in appearance. This took place very rapidly, so that it was 

 hardly possible to apply a wire or other body to the drops 

 quick enough to derange the form before sohdity had been 

 acquired : by quick motion, however, it might be effected, and 

 by passing the finger over them, a sort of smear could be 



