CHEMISTRY. 645 



whereas the coal might furnish 25 to 50 pounds of ammonia per ton of 

 coal, only 5 or C pounds are actually obtained. By mixing a little lime 

 with the coal before introducing it into the retort, the yield of ammonia 

 is greatly increased, and at the same time the gas formed loses its fetid 

 odor. The invention is patented, and is known as Cooper's liming 

 process. 



At the Beckton gasworks, where a series of experiments were carried 

 on, the addition of lime produced a gain of 36 per cent, of ammonia. 

 Besides this, there is a gain in tar and a diminution in the sulphuretted 

 hydrogen and carbon disulphide. So marked is the latter feature that 

 the lime purifier proves to be superfluous where the process is used, and 

 gas-works, being no longer offensive, cease to be a public nuisance. 

 (Ghent. News, xlviii, 174.) 



ORGANIC. 



New Substances from Plants. — Jamaica dogwood (Piscidia erythrina) 

 has been examined by Prof. Edward Hart, of Lafayette College, who 

 obtained therefrom the active principle, piseidia, C29H24O8. This body 

 is insoluble in water, but crystallizes from alcohol in small colorless four 

 or six sided prisms, which have a melting point of 192° C. It is easily 

 soluble in benzene and in chloroform. Its physiological effects are that 

 of a direct sedative, narcotic but refreshing. (Am. Chem. Jonrn., v, 39.) 



Algin is the name given by Edward C. C. Stanford to a new substance 

 obtained from some of the commoner species of marine algse, and which 

 possess valuable properties as a gelatizer. It has characteristic reac- 

 tions distinguishing it from gelatin, from starch, from dextrin, pectin, 

 gum arabic, and other gummy bodies. Dilute mineral acids generally 

 coagulate it when in solution. Mr. Stanford thinks it can be used in 

 the soluble form as a stiffener of fabrics ; although not so rigid as starch, 

 it is tougher, more elastic, and more transparent. It may also have 

 some value as a food on account of its nitrogenous character. Its ag- 

 glutinating power enables one to convert non-coherent bodies, such as 

 silica, lime, magnesia, alumina, chalk, graphite, and charcoal, into solid 

 hard blocks. A new "carbon cement" for covering steam-boilers con- 

 sists of 97 per cent, charcoal and 3 per cent, algin. In its insoluble form 

 algin resembles horn, and may be used as a substitute for it. Algin is 

 an excellent non-conductor of electricity, and can be used also in emul- 

 sifying oils and fining wines and spirits. (Chem. News, xlvii, 254.) 



A new acid has been obtained by Von Lippmann from the juice of 

 the beet root. The incrustations formed on the pans in which beet juice 

 is evaporated contains, besides citric, aconitic, tricarballylic, and malonic 

 acids, a new acid which appears to be identical with the oxycitric de- 

 scribed by Pawolleck. The new acid forms needle shaped crystals, 

 soluble in water, alcohol, and ether, having the formula C 6 H 8 8 . It is 

 tribasic, its barium salt having the formula (C 6 H 5 8 )2 Ba 3 5 H 2 0. (Ber. 

 d. chem. Ges., xvi, 1078.) 



