148 



The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. LX. New Se- 

 ries. Oct. 1855. Philadelphia. 8vo. — From Dr. Isaac Hays, 

 Editor. 



Medical News and Library. Vol. XIII. No. 154. Oct. 1855. Phi- 

 ladelphia. 8vo. — From Blanchard <^ Lea. 



Tide Tables for the principal Sea Ports of the United States: by A. 

 D. Bachc, Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey. New York, 

 1855. 8vo. -From the Author. 



Messrs. Eckfeldt and Du Bois presented a communication 

 as supplementary to their paper on aluniirmm, read at a for- 

 mer meeting. 



A few prefatory words might properly be expended upon the 

 name of tb.is metal, which is variously written aluminum, and alumi- 

 nium. By the analogy of nomenclature, in which we have soda and 

 sodium, — potassa and potassium, it would see;n proper to join to alu- 

 mina, aluminium. This title is accordingly used by some eminent 

 writers on chemistry; but the great majority write aluminum; and 

 if this metal is destined to come into common use, it is very desira- 

 ble lo drop any syllables that can be dispensed with, to make ihe 

 word easy of pronunciation, and to prevent barbarous misnomers. It 

 is hardly lo be believed, that the mass of uneducated persons will 

 take the trouble to say aluminium. 



Passing to more important points, we have subjected our small sam- 

 ples of this metal to such tests and treatment as would indicate, in 

 some degree, the position which it is entitled to, amongst the metals, 

 and the practical uses to which it may be applied. This work, it is 

 true, has been done already, but the reported results being somewhat 

 confused and conflicting, we have thought it proper to add something 

 to the testimony. 



In cool nitric acid, of the strength of 32" Beaumi, there is no ac- 

 tion upon aluminum. In the same solvent, standard silver would be 

 attacked immediately, though moderately. — The same acid being 

 brought up to such a heat as to give off vapour, the action upon alu- 

 minum commences, and, after a considerable time, solution would be 

 effected. — But this is not the proper solvent of the metal. 



\n strong sul[diuric acid, with or without heat, there is no action; 

 but by adding water, the solution is comphile. Here there is a re- 

 markable likeness to iron and zinc; and as remarkable an antagon- 

 ism to silver. 



