148 Scwifific Notices-^Chemistrj/. .[Auic. 



Article XII. 



SCIENTIFIC NOTICES. 



Chemistry. 



1. Cri/staUizatioH of Sulphur, 



The peculiar arrangement of the crystals of ice in a case of 

 hoar frost, where every crystal appeared as if it had endea- 

 voured to recede as far as it could from the neighbouring 

 crystals, has been observed and described by Dr. M'Culloch, 

 at page 40, vol. 20. of this Journal. A similar effect may b e 

 pointed out as exhibited in crystallized sulphur. The man who 

 melts and purifies the sulphur at the gunpowder works at Wal- 

 tham Abbey is very expert in introducing wires or wooden 

 forms into the melted sulphur, which, acting as nuclei, cause a 

 crystaUization of sulphur as the whole cools, and then, by 

 letting out the liquid portions, the substances introduced are 

 found covered with acicular or prismatic crystals, at times an 

 inch or more in length. In this way he forms letters, names, 

 and the figures of animals, &c. In all these cases the arrange- 

 ment noticed by Dr. M^Culloch may be observed ; and wherever 

 an angle occurs the convergence of the crystals is very striking 

 and beautiful. — (Journal of Science.) 



2. Meconiate of Morphia, 



Dr. Menici has obtained this substance as a simple educt 

 from opium ; the following is the process : 



Pour distilled water on powder of good opium, placed on a 

 paper filter, gently stirring them. Wash the opium in this 

 manner until it come through colourless; then pass alcohol 

 somewhat diluted through it ; and, when it runs colourless, dry 

 the insoluble portion in the dark. In this state digest it with 

 heat in alcohol of 3b° (B) for a few minutes ; the solution when 

 cold will deposit crystals of a light straw colour. From 12 

 drachms of opium 20 grains of this crystallized meconiate of 

 morphia will be obtained. Giornale di Fisic(u — (Dublin Phil. 

 Journ.) 



3. On the Use of Cofumon Salt and Sulphate of' Soda in 

 Glass-making. 



Muriate of soda and sulphate of soda may be employed, and 

 at times with advantage, in glass-making. A casting is readily 

 obtained of very fine glass, having, when about three or four 

 lines in thickness, a very slight green tinge. Its composition 

 is as follows : decrepitated muriate of soda, 100 parts; slaked 

 lime, 100 ; sand, 140 ; clippings of glass of the same quahty, 

 from 50 parts to 200. Sulphate of soda likewise offers a great 



