[miller-kenrick] researches IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY 209 



finally shaken with sulphuric acid of various concentrations for four 

 weeks, when the liquids and moist solids were analysed. The com- 

 position of the pure solids was determined from these analyses by the 

 graphic method. Besides the ordinary sulphate BaSO^, a compound 

 of the composition 3BaS0^. 8SO3. 7H2O was indicated, stable in contact 

 with acids of composition varying from 69*8 % to 75-5% of sulphur 

 trioxide. The crystals were very minute, but appeared under the 

 microscope to be tetragonal. A third compound consisting of fine 

 silky needles, the twinning of which seemed to indicate that they were 

 rhombic, was obtained in contact with strong acids. The formula of 

 this compound was uncertain, but is approximately 4BaO. 580.^. GH^O. 

 {Winter, 1908-9). 



No. 5. L. T. Acton: — Catalytic action of ether on the oxidation of 

 arsenious acid by air. In connection with measurements of the dis- 

 tribution of arsenious acid between ether and water, Mr. Acton observed 

 that the oxidizing action of dissolved air on arsenious acid is greatly 

 accelerated by the presence of a little ether. The reaction is not instan- 

 taneous, but is quick enough to vitiate analytical determinations made 

 in the ordinary way. {Winter, 1909-10). 



No. 6. /. S. Laird: — The toxicity of solutions containing phenol 

 and salts. A number of measurements of the rate of poisoning by 

 phenol solutions containing salts were made with anthrax and with 

 micrococcus pyogenes aureus; and the distribution of the phenol 

 between the salt solutions and purified petroleum was determined. 

 In the case of the anthrax, relatively strong phenol solutions were used 

 and the results agreed with the theory set up by Lash Miller and Mac- 

 kenzie (these Transactions, Vol. IX, Sec. Ill p 51). With micrococcus 

 however, an observation made the year before by Dr. W. S. Lemon 

 was confirmed, viz: — that very weak phenol solutions are rendered 

 less toxic by addition of salt. It was found that salt solutions isotonic 

 with such dilute phenol solutions are themselves poisonous; thus in 

 experimenting with susceptible microbes ''osmotic" poisoning may be 

 superadded to the action of the toxic agent. 



Finally the distribution ratio was determined for each of the 

 eleven solutions (containing phenol and various salts) whose relative 

 toxicity had been determined by Paul and Kronig; and in every case 

 the toxicity of the solution was found to run parallel to the chemical 

 potential of the dissolved phenol. {Winter, 1909-1910). 



No. 7. D. A. Welsh: — Electrolysis of solutions containing ferric 

 salts and potassium iodide. If a cathode is introduced into a solution 

 in which ferric chloride is being slowly reduced by potassium iodide, 

 the electromotive force thermodynamically "necessary" to reduce the 

 ferric salt is obviouslv less than that needed to reduce the free iodine 



