409 



weight; on being bnrned, the stems decrepitate, indi- 

 cating the presence of nitre ; the main stalks decay 

 rapidly and form an excellent manure ; it is an exhausting 

 crop, and requires rotation with others. As much as 

 2500 lbs. of the dried tobacco, worth between $400 and 

 $500, have been raised to the acre. The leaves are thin, 

 smooth, and wide, and are largely exported to Havana 

 for the covers of cigars. 



Dr. A. A. Gould gave an account of a recent visit to 

 some of the scientific institutions of Europe, confining 

 his remarks to Great Britain. 



Mr. Charles T. Carney made the following commu- 

 nication : — 



" In September, 1857, I was led to investigate the Sesquioxide 

 of Chromium, with a view of decomposing the same without in- 

 jury to any organic matter which might be pi-esent with it. The 

 means usually employed for effecting the decomposition, by boil- 

 ing sulphuric acid, &c. were of course unavailable, and I was 

 much interested in observing a peculiar reaction which was new 

 to me ; and I do not know that it has been before observed. I 

 found that when the ignited sesquioxide was exposed to the 

 action of the galvanic battery, in presence of a dilute solution of 

 caustic alkali, it was decomposed, and the chromate of alkali 

 formed in solution. Thinking it possible that a combination 

 might occur with the caustic alkali and some soluble portion of 

 the chrome oxide, I next subjected some freshly prepared and 

 ignited sesquioxide to the action of caustic alkali for twelve 

 hours ; then after being thoi'oughly washed and dried, submitted 

 it to the action of the battery. The result was the same, and 

 from the solution of chromate of alkali obtained, I formed the 

 chromic salts of lead and silver." 



Stephen P. Leeds, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was chosen a 

 Corresponding Member. 



Octavius Pickering, of Cambridge, and Dr. C. F. Win- 

 slow, of West Newton, were chosen Resident Members. 



