116 



Professor Arthur W. Crossley 



[Feb. 5, 



during which the experiment was continued and the volume of 

 hydrogen absorbed are indicated. In this case during the first hour 

 rapid absorption of hydrogen amounting to 175 c.cm. took place, 

 which then suddenly decreased, and during the second, third, and 

 fourth hours amounted to about 50 c.cm. per hour, whilst during the 

 next three hours only a further 20 c.cm. of hydrogen were absorbed. 

 It will lie seen that the iodine value of this specimen of whale oil fell 

 from 130 • 7 to 38, and the liquid oil became a solid fat melting at 3^°. 

 Let us now glance at the patent from the point of view of the 



Cc. Hz absorbed 



Whale Oil 

 Iodine Absorption I30'77< 

 Ml FROM Hydroxide AT 350°5°/< 

 Ha Purified 

 Final Product 

 Iodine Absorp 

 tion:38 7o 

 M P.38°C 



Observed 



CALCULATr.D FOR N.T.P 



7 hours 



Fig. 1. Temp. 250 



ohemisD who is going to investigate the question, and note some of 

 the points which he would have to submit to experimental test. 



First, as regards the nickel, the patent states " if fine nickel 

 powder obtained by reduction in a current of hydrogen, etc." 

 Reduction of what ? Nickel oxide or nickel hydroxide ? and further, 

 does it make any difference as to how the oxide itself has been 

 prepared, or whether the hydroxide has been precipitated from the 

 sulphate or the nitrate of nickel ? 



Such questions may seem superfluous, and it might be asked : 

 If there is only one nickel, and it is obtainable by all the methods 

 mentioned, how^ can it possibly make any difference which method is 

 selected for its preparation ? Substances such as nickel, which are 



