424 RPXORl) OF SCIENCE FOR 1X8(>. 



lodiiio is iei)oite(l by J. A. Wanklyii to exist in ii free state iu the 

 mineral water of the Woodliall Spa, near Lincoln. Sufficient is present 

 to impart a brown color to the water and to give the usual reaction with 

 carbon disulphide. The spa has long been known as useful in skin 

 diseases (Chem. News, Liv, 300.) 



The complete synthesis of pyrrol has been accomplished by Ciamician 

 and Silber; the steps in the transformation from succinimide to pyrrol 

 are as follows: Succinimide, bichlormaleiuimide, perchloride of tetra- 

 chlorpyrrol, tetrachlorpyrrol, tetrajodpyrrol, i)yrrol. (Ber. d. chem. 

 Ges., XIX, 3027.) 



Combiuationsof acetamide with metallic chlorides have been described 

 by G. Andr^, notably with cupric chloride, cadmium chloride, the chlo- 

 rides of nickel and cobalt, and mercuric chloride. These bodies are 

 crystalline, and decompose at a moderately low^ temperature. (Comptes 

 lleudus, oil, 115.) 



Prof. A. Michaelis, of Aachen, continues his extended researches on 

 compounds of the elements of the nitrogen group with radicals of the 

 aromatic series. In Liebig's Aunalen, Vol. ccxxxiii, in union with A. 

 Keese, he describes several compounds of antimony with phenyl and 

 its derivatives, and in union with Paetow he describes compounds of 

 arsenic with benzyl. 



Calcined magnesia, showing peculiar behavior with reagents, is sup- 

 posed by George Stillingtieet Johnson to contain rare earths. (Chem. 

 News, LIV, 88.) 



The mosandra of Dr. J. Lawrence Smith has been examined by Lecoq 

 de Boisbaudran, samples being furnished by Dr. Marion, of Louisville, 

 and lound to consist chietiy of tcrbia and Ya. (Chem. News, liii, 108.) 



Sozolic acid, or orthoxyphenylsulphurous acid, discovered by M. Ser- 

 rant, is a more powerful antisei)tic than salicylic or phenic acids. The 

 corresi)onding para compound has no antiseptic [)roperties. The author 

 claims for sozolic acid great benetits to medicine and surgery. (Comptes 

 Kendus, Cii, 1079.) 



A summary of all that is know'u concerning samarium and its com- 

 pounds has been published by P. T. Cleve, of Upsala. The subject is 

 treated under the heads history, separation, mode of occurrence, atomic 

 weight, spectrum, oxides, and the numerous salts. (Chem. News, liii, 

 30 et seq.) 



Cerium, yttrium, and glucinum, according to Dr. J. H. Strohecker, 

 occur iu extraordinary quantities in the clays of Hainstadt. One of 

 the clays analyzed contained as high as 13.1: per cent, cerium hydrox- 

 ide. Tlie author's analytical methods and his statements have met 

 severe criticisms on the part of several chemists, but he insists on 

 their accuracy. (J. f. prakt. Chemie, 188G.) 



Glycyphyllin is a crystalline substance, which Dr. Edward H. Ren- 

 iiie extracted from the leaves of ^Slnila.l^ glycyphylla, a plant common 

 in New South Wales. Crystallized from water it has the formula 



