44 abstracts: inorganic chemistry 



SPECTROSCOPY. — Measurement of wave-lengths in the spectra of 

 krypton and xenon. Paul W. Merrill. Bur. Standards Sci. 

 Paper 345. Pp. 6, pi. i. 1919. 



This paper records photographic measurements of wave-lengths in 

 the spectra of krypton and xenon, principally in the red and infra-red. 



In krypton 37 new lines were measured between 6576 A and 8928 A, 

 and in xenon 52 new lines between 6318 A and 9162 A. In this region 

 there are numerous strong lines which are probably among the most 

 important in the spectra of these elements. Notable among these are 

 xenon lines at 8231 and 8280. These and other lines may be of value 

 as wave-length standards in the infra-red. 



Attention is called to a probable analogy between the spectra of the 

 rare gases neon, argon, krypton, and xenon which this investigation 

 has brought to light. P. W. M. 



INORGANIC CHEMISTRY.— r/i^ relations between tridymite and 

 cristobalite. Clarence N. Fenner. Journ. Soc. Glass Tech- 

 nology 3, Trans. : 116-125. Aug., 1919. 

 Several articles have appeared recently in French and British jour- 

 nals, in which some of the conclusions regarding the stability relations 

 between the various forms of silica, published several years ago by the 

 author, have been questioned. The principal basis for doubt seems 

 to the present writer to be not that new evidence has been discovered, but 

 that the observers have failed to take fully into consideration the rather 

 remarkable properties of silica, which tend to obscure stability relations 

 and whose effect was discussed in some detail in the article cited; 

 moreover, that some of the evidence set forth there has been overlooked 

 or disregarded, and explanations have been advanced which are in- 

 consistent with this evidence. For this reason it has seemed well to 

 take up the matter anew and present the evidence which bears upon 

 the specific points involved. The points at issue are especially those 

 which deal with the relations between tridymite and cristobalite. Cer- 

 tain evidence previously given is repeated in somewhat different form, 

 and, to support it, further evidence is offered which either has not 

 been given before in detail or is entirely new. In addition to the 

 writer's work, other directly relevant information supplied by the 

 work of Ferguson and Merwin on the system CaO-MgO-Si02 is 

 cited in confirmation. All of the results are in accord with the con- 



