338 ICIENTIPIC NEVS. 



reconcile the eontradictions of the English and French 

 chemists relative to this metal. After a long series of 

 experiments, he has found that Platina, in its crude state, 

 contains also four other metals, osmium, iridium, rho- 

 dium, and palladium, and he gives the characters of 

 each. 



Iceland crystal. Professor Bernhardi communicated some researches on 

 the double refraction of Iceland crystal, or the crystal- 

 lized carbonate of lime, in which he has noted the phe- 

 nomena with greater precision than has hitherto been 

 done. 



Lycopodlum. M. Bucholz communicated the resuKs of his experi- 

 ments on the seeds of Lycopodium, which afford new 

 riews respecting this vegetable product. 1. The seed of 

 lycopodium contains one-sixteenth part of a fat oil, of a 

 brownish yellow colour, and soluble in alcohol. 2. A 

 portion of true sugar. 3. A viscid extract, of a brown- 

 ish yellow colour and insipid taste. 4. The residue, 

 after treatment with alcohol and water, appears entitled 

 to be considered as a peculiar product of the vegetable 

 kii gdom. 5. The yellowish appearance of the seeds in 

 this last state, appears to indicate the union of a kind of 

 pigment with the first principles of the seed, or at least a 

 very intimate union of the constituent parts of this seed. 

 6. It is the oily part that enters into the composition of 

 this seed which renders it so speedily combustible, and 

 causes it so immediately to separate from water, 



Wirtemherg. 

 Prize for the M. Caula, Banker to the Court of Wirtemberg, has 

 spccdng^fJssu" ^^^'^^^ ^ P"^® ^* ^^^ florins (13 guineas), for that 

 bones- explanation Avhich shall be judged the most satisfactory 



on the subject of the fossil bones continually found in the 

 kingdom of Wirtemberg. It is not simply a critical dis- 

 sertation which is expected on the different opinions rela- 

 tive to the events which may have transported these 

 remains of the animal kingdom into the places where 

 they are now found ; but it is most particularly desired 

 that some elucidation should be given from the chemical 

 decomposition and connection of these bones. It is' dei, 

 •ired also, that a deduction should be made of the cha» 



ractcristie 



