CHEMISTKY. 057 



Sodium Orthovana dates and iJieir Analogues (by Harry Baker). — 

 Doubts expressed by MeDclelejeff and by Eammelsberg' as to the strict 

 analogies between phosphorus, arsenic, and vanadium prompted the 

 author to prepare and examine closely the sodium salts of tril)asic 

 orthovanadic acid. Trisodium phosphate and trisodium arsenate crys- 

 tallize in hexagonal prisms with 12 molecules of water, and Roscoe de- 

 scribes the corresponding vanadate as acicular crystals with 16 mole- 

 cules of water. The author finds, however, that a vanadate having 12 

 molecules of water (Na3V04.12H20), and crystallizing also in hexa- 

 gonal prisms, can be obtained without difficulty. 



Besides the latter, there exist two salts containing 10 molecules of 

 water, one of which crystallizes in the isomeric and the other in the 

 hexagonal systems. A third salt, crystallizing in rhombic tables, was 

 obtained by the author, but owing to the great difficulties experienced 

 in separating it from its mother liquid the water estimation was not 

 satisfactory ; it probably has the formula NagVO^.SHgO. Phosphates 

 and arsenates analogous to the three salts last named are not yet known. 

 Sodium- vanadio-sodium-fluoride, 2]S^a3V04.]sraF1.19H20, is also described 

 by the author and its contents iu water accurately determined as given. 



In conclusion, the author finds the analogies between vanadium, ar- 

 senic, and phosphorus strongly confirmed by the results of his investi- 

 gation. [Liebig's Annalen, ccxxix, 286.) 



Recovery of Gold and Silver from Metallic Iron (by Dr. J. C. Booth). — 

 In the course of an interesting article on the " Smelting Furnace of 

 the U. S. Mint," the author gives his experience as to the best plan 

 for recovering metallic gold and silver from the iron grate-bars, tools, 

 &c. Formerly the irou was alteruatelv heated and hammered until the 

 precious metals scaled ofl". This operation took the labor of one dozen 

 men during three or more days of ten hours each, for the gold 

 clings with great tenacity to the irou ; nor was the method without 

 loss. At present all the iron residues from the furnaces, even includ- 

 ing the grate bars, are melted, and while quietly melted the heavier gold 

 and silver settle out of the iron. When the mass is cold the precious 

 metal is knocked off the bottom by a hammer as a single tough ring, 

 with scarcely a trace of iron in it, while the iron above has never 

 yielded a trace of gohi or silver to the assayer. {Jour. Am. Chem. Soc, 

 VII, 159.) 



An Electrical Furnace for Reducing lief r act ory Ores (bj^ E. A. and A. 

 H. Cowles). — These gentlemen, together with Prof. C. P. Mabery, have 

 devised an electrical furnace on the incandescent principle. A column 

 of fragnu^nts of well-calcined charcoal is embedded horizontally in finely- 

 pulverized charcoal and covered by a layer of the same material coarsely 

 broken, the whole being arranged iu a box of fire-brick covered with 

 H. Mis. 15 42 



