CHEMISTRY. 225 



potassium chlorplatinatc; solution and 3 cc. of the stannous chlorid S()luti()n, as 

 before." 



The results of a nimil)er of determinations are reported. 



On certain factors influencing- the precipitation of calcium and magnesium 

 by sodium carbonate, J. M. Stillman and A. J. Cox {Jour. Ainer. Clwm. S'oc, 25 

 {190S), Xo. 7, pp. 7S2-74'2, figs. 4)- — A study is here reported of conditions "which 

 modify the results of the usual processes for the purification of water for boiler-feed 

 ])urposes," in which tests were made of the influence of sodium chlorid on the precip- 

 itation of calcium by S(jdium carbonate and of sodium chlorid and sulphate on the 

 precipitation of magnesium by sodium carbonate and calcium hydroxid. The influ- 

 ence of time and other varying conditions were also studied. The results indicate 

 that in every case the effect of the sodium chlorid and sulphate Avas to diminish the 

 jirecipitation of calcium and magnesium by sodium carbonate, the sulphate exerting 

 a greater influence in this respect than the chlorid. " Sodium chlorid appeared to 

 have some influence on the precipitation of magnesium by calcium hydroxid, but 

 nevertheless the preciiutation was quite comiilete." 



The simultaneous separation and determination of barium, strontium, and 

 calcium, L. Robin (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sd. Paris, 137 {1903), Xo. 4, j^p- 258, 259). 



On the behavior of the phosphoric acid in the soils toward different organic 

 acids, G. Daikuhara {Bui. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 5 {1903), Xo. 4, pp. 505- 

 508). — Comparative tests of the solubilitj^ of the phosphoric acid of soils in 1 per cent 

 acetic, tartaric, citric, and oxalic acids and in varying strengths (0.25 to 5 per dent) 

 of these acids are reported. As a rule the weakest solvent action was exerted by 

 acetic acid, the strongest by oxalic acid. 



Simplification of the analysis of silicates by the use of formic acid, A. Le- 

 CLERC {f'onipt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 137 {1903), Xo. 1, pp. 50, 51). — In the author's 

 methotl the fused silicate is treated with 5 jjer cent formic acid at 100° for 2 days. 

 The silicic acid is precipitated without passing through the gelatinous state. By 

 neutralizing the acid solution with ammonia and boiling, iron and alumina are com- 

 pletely precipitated. The use of formic acid as a solvent in soil analysis is recom- 

 mended on the ground that, except in case of alumina, it dissolves from the soil 

 about the amounts of mineral constituents represented in the ash of plants. 



Discussion of ash analyses of plants, C. A. Goessmann {Massachusetts Sta. Bid. 

 89, pp. 8-11, fig. 1). — The importance of the analysis of the ash of plants is briefly 

 discussed and the so-called ball mill (Kugelmiihle) for preparing samjiles for incin- 

 eration and the Wislicenus platinum aj^paratus for incineration (E. S. R., 13, p. 713) 

 are briefly described. The results of ash analyses of 8 samples of onions are reported. 



The determination of carbonic acid in drinking water, F. B. Forbes and 

 G. H. Pratt {Jour. Ainer. Chem. Soc, 25 {1903), Xo. 7, jip. 742-756). — Comparative 

 tests of the Pettenkofer method as modified by Drown, and the Seyler and direct 

 methods are reporte<;l. The Seyler method is preferred to the others. 



A method for the detection of chlorids, bromids, and iodids, S. Benedict 

 and J. F. Snell {Jour. Anier. Chem. Soc, 25 {1903), Xo. 8, pp. 809-814).— Potasi^'mm 

 iodate and acetic acid are added to the neutral solution and the liberated iodin is 

 expelled l^y boiling. Dilute nitric acid, equal in volume to nearly one-half the solu- 

 tion, is added and the boiling continued until the solution is colorless. The excess 

 of iodate is reduced by the addition of a small quantity of potassium iodid and the 

 excess of iodid is destroyed by the nitric acid. The presence of chlorid is shown by 

 testing with silver nitrate. 



A modification of the Avery-Beans method for determining total arsenious 

 oxid in Paris green, J. K. Haywood {Jour. Ainer. Chem. ;SWr., 35 {1903), Xo. 9, 

 pp. 903-968). — In the presence of considerable free arsenious oxid the Avery-Beans 

 method has been found to give low results due to the insolubility of the free oxid by 

 hydrochloric acid in the colil. The author proposes the separation of the nn<lissolvcd 



