44 Library. [Maech, 



tubes are used. Comparing the percentage decomposition of a number 

 of solutions in which the relative quantities of free alkali, chloride, 

 chlorate and hypochlorite are the same, the following peculiarities are 

 observed. The decomposition diminishes with dilution up to a certain 

 point when it is minimum. Further diminution in concentration instead 

 of diminishing increases decomposition. This peculiar deportment is 

 observed not only with similar solutions heated to different periods of 

 time, but in all solutions which are examined, the ratio of hypochlorite 

 to free alkali being approximately as 2 : 5, 2 : 2 and 2 : 1. When the 

 percentage decompositions are represented by curves whose ordinates 

 express percentage decompositions and abscissa concentrations, greatest 

 depressions (minimum decompositions) lie very nearly in the same 

 vertical line. The exact strength of the solution which decomposes 

 least is not yet known with great accuracy, but it appears to lie between. 

 1"5 to 1'7 per cent, of concentration. The influence of other constituents 

 may be neglected as all the solutions containing widely different quanti- 

 ties of chlorate, hypochlorite and free alkali lead to the same conclusion. 

 In all cases oxygen and chlorate are simultaneously produced. At the 

 end of the first hour the amount of oxygen that is liberated varies from 

 J to ^ of the oxygen fixed in the chlorate. As the duration of heating 

 is prolonged the quantity of free oxygen is increased, but in no case is 

 this quantity greater than the oxygen of the chlorate although the 

 strength of the solution is seen to vary from 3 to 8'9 per cent, and 

 duration of heating from one to six hours and a half. As the strength 

 of the solution diminishes the liberation of free oxygen increases. For 

 the same weight of chlorate formed, the quantity of oxygen diminishes 

 with the rapidity with which the solutions are heated. 



h 



IBRARY. 



The following additions have been made to the Library since the 

 meeting held in February last : — 



Transactions, Proceedings and Journals, 



presented by the respective Societies and Editors. 

 Calcutta. Buddhist Text Society of India, — Journal, Vol. Ill, Part 2. 



. Geological Survey of India, — Memoirs, Vol. XXVII, Part 1, 



. . Records, Vol. XXIX, Part 1. 



Indian Engineering, — Vol. XIX, Nos. 7-9. 

 The Indian Lancet,— Vol. VII, Nos. 4. and 5. 



