BOTANV. 621 



solution of the chlorids or nitrates, a solution of potassium antimonate is added. 

 The supernatant liquid is decanted after 24 hours and the precipitate washed, first 

 with a 0.7 per cent solution of potassium acetate, and then with 50 per cent alcohol. 

 After ignition, it is weighed as NaSb0 3 . For each 100 cc. of the decanted liquid 

 (which must not contain potassium carbonate), 0.0233 gm. must be added to correct 

 for solubility." 



Determination of boric acid in meat products, ('. Fkesenius and G. Popp 

 (Ztsch. Offentl. Chem., 3, p. 188; aba. in Analyst, 22 (1897), Nov., p. 282). 

 . On the titration of sulphuric acid solutions, F. Marboutin and A. Pecoue ( Bui. 

 Soc. Chim. Paris, 3. ser., 17 (1807), No. 18-19, pp. S80, 881). 



A new receiver for the steam distillation of oils, A. Junghahn (Chem. Ztg., .'1 

 (1897), No. OS, p. 669, fig. 1). — A covered beaker is tubulated on the side near the top 

 for the reception of the short arm of a siphon, which reaches to the bottom of the 

 receiver and which is open at tin- bend. As the products of distillation accumulate, 

 the oil on top and the water at bottom, the level of the liquid reaches that of the 

 bend in the tube, and any further addition of liquid causes an equal amount of 

 water to flow out through the tube. When the distillation is completed, all the 

 water may be siphoned out by (losing the aperture in the siphon with the thumb 

 and filling the tube with water by tilting the beaker. When all the water is out 

 and the oil is about to escape, the thumb is removed and the siphoning ceases. — 

 J. T. ANDERSON. 



A self-regulating gas generator, W. W. Andrews (Chem. Ztg.. ,?/ (1897), No. 

 pp. 666, 007, figs. 2). — The apparatus consists of 2 parts, an acid flask and a generator 

 proper. The first is in the form of a wash bottle, the longer tube reaching down a 

 little way into tin- acid and being connected at the other end, by means of a rubber 

 tube, with the generator, so as to form a siphon. The generator is a Presenilis cal- 

 cium chlorid tower, the material to lie decomposed resting on a perforated floor just 

 above the bottom. A tube at the top with a stopcock regulates the flow of gas. 

 To put the apparatus in operation, open the cock and blow into the acid flask to till 

 the siphon. When the cock is closed the pressure drives the acid back into its flask, 

 and by reason of its greater density it settles to the bottom without mixing with 

 the other acid. To facilitate this a mantle tube surrounds the short arm of the 

 siphon and reaches to the bottom of the flask. Openings at the top of this mantle 

 allow fresh acid to enter it, so that fresh, unused acid is siphoned into the generator 

 each time. — J. T. axdersox. 



Anew form of hydrogen generator, E. W. Magrudek (Amer. Chem. -lour., 19 

 ■ Xo - '', PP- 810-812). 



A new support on the Bunsen burner, E. Steiger (('Item. Ztg., 21 (1897), No. 68, 

 p. 668, figs. 3). — The ordinary sheet-iron cone is replaced by a cylinder which is 

 securely fastened in place by a screw, and on this cylinder the vessel to be heated 

 is placed. Either a wire triangle, a wire gauze, or an asbestos plate may be used 



with it. — J. T. AXDERSOX. 



A new form of burette, C. Saxder-Prayon-Lez-Trooz (Chem. Ztg.. :l (1897), 

 Xo.74, p. 739, fig. 1). 



Laboratory work, P. Boxame (Bap. An. Sta. Agron. [Mauritius], 1S9G, pp. 7-11). — 

 A brief summary of chemical work on soils, fertilizers, sugars, sirups, etc., during 

 189<>. The valuation of fertilizers is briefly discussed. 



The use of aluminum ware for domestic purposes, L. Fra>ck (Chem. Ztg., 21 

 (1897), No. 80, pp. 816-818). 



BOTANY. 



An important function of leaves, TJ. Suzuki (Imp. Univ. Col.Agr. 

 [Tokyo] Bui., vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 241-252). — The author examined leaves of 

 quite a number of species of plants to determine : (1) The decomposition 

 of proteids and transportation of the decomposed products to other 



