128 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



acetyl derivative is then saponified with sodium hyroxide, and the 

 excess of sodium hydroxide titrated back. 1 Cc. normal NaOH = 

 0.4 Gm. acetyl derivative, = 0.318 Gm. phenolphthalein. 



Merck's Report. 



TURPENTINE. 



There has been a decided advance in the turpentine market 

 during the past thirty days, and the market acts as though it 

 might w^ork higher. There has been a very good demand for 

 turpentine and the crop does not seem to be turning out as big 

 as was estimated, which is having its effect in advancing prices. 



AN EVERLASTING MATCH. 



It is claimed that Auer von Welsbach, the well known inventor 

 of the incandescent gas mantle, has produced an alloy of iron and 

 thorium which possesses remarkable properties. When struck 

 lightly against a piece of iron this alloy emits exceedingly bright 

 sparks, produced by the almost instant oxidation of particles de- 

 tached by the blow. Sufficient heat is developed to ignite tinder 

 instantaneously, without the repeated efforts required by the old- 

 fashioned flint and steel. The new thorium "flint," indeed, may be 

 called an everlasting match. It will be very useful to explorers 

 and tourists and should be of great value for the ignition of ex- 

 plosives, for military and other purposes. — Exchange. 



WASTE TURNED TO PROFIT. 



The waste in making tin cans is so large that the saving of 

 the metals contained is a matter of importance, the iron separated 

 from the scrap being now in great demand as well as the more 

 valuable tin. In the process of K. Goldschmidt, the scrap is packed 

 tightly into baskets, and these are placed mechanically in closed 

 vessels, into which, after cooling, chlorine is pumped at a pres- 

 sure of four atmospheres. Chlorine and stannic chloride are after- 

 ward drawn off by suction. Used cans are now cleansed and 

 treated with ordinary scrap, and in all 75,000 tons of the tin plate 

 waste are now detinned yearly in Germany, 25,000 in the rest of 

 Europe, and 60,000 in the United States — a total of 3,000 to 3,500 

 tons of tin being separated from the iron. — Exchange. 



