ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF FOREIGN INVESTIGATIONS. 



A new method of organic analysis, Berthelot {Compt. ren(1., 

 114 {is'.);^)^}). J17). — This method cuiisists in biiniiui;- the substance in 

 a calorimetrif bomb in oxygen under a pressure of 25 atmospheres. 

 The combustion is coinpb^e and instantaneous, contrastin*; with that 

 "Which occurs in combustion with oxide of copper. The ojtcration 

 is jierformed in a calorimeter, folh)wing the ordinary method of 

 determining;- lieatsof condjustion. but is independent of the cal(>rimetric 

 determination. As soon as the combustion is complete the jras in 

 the bomb is allowed to pass throufjl! the usual system of tubes use<l 

 in orjianic analysis — the desiccating tubes of pumice stone saturated 

 with suli)huri«' a«'id. and those containing li«piid and solid potash. This 

 done the residual gas of the bondj is drawn <»ut by means of a mercury 

 puni]) and made to pass through the same absorbing apparatus; puri- 

 fied air is then allowed to enter the bomb. This operation is repeated 

 two or three times in order to remove all the carbonic acid. The deter- 

 mination of carbon is in this inanucr made very (juickly and with abso- 

 lute i)recision. 



The determination of hydrogen is a little more complicated; it may 

 be accomi>lished, however, by using dry oxygen anil heating the bomb 

 slightly after the operation for the purpose of vaporizing all the water 

 which results from the pr«'ceding operation. Account luust be taken, 

 however, (»f traces of nitric acid produced during tlu' combustion, which 

 lire driven otV with the wat€r. The simple detormimition of carbonic 

 acid is not subject to this comidication; the water which condenses in 

 the bomb retains all traces of nitric aci<l. 



The combustion in the bomb also permits of the determination of 

 snli)hur in organic substances, if 10 c. c. of water be added before the 

 operation commences. The sulphur is found in the water in the form 

 of free sulpluiric acid, as has l)(M'n deiuonstratcd by very careful tests. 

 This is the quickest method which exists for the determination of sul- 

 phur and is eiiually appUcable to the determination of phosphorus in 

 organic substances. 



The formation and behavior of basic calcium phosphate and its 

 relation to Thomas slag, O. Fbrster (/ritsdi. /. aniinr. Clniti., I^:».\ 

 pp.l3-2:i; obs. in Chem. Centnilhl. y>.''A i,p.:J7:i). — The investigations of 

 the author lead him to the following conclusions: Thomas slag contains 



818 



