371 
„In this 7r-figure L and S denote the coexisting phases at the 
unary point of solidification of the monoclinic sulphur, and in the 
same way the points L’’ and 8” indicate the coexisting phases at 
the unary point of solidification of the monoelinie soufre nacré, L’ 
and S’ referring to the unary point of solidification of rhombic sul- 
phur, and S, and 8, to the coexisting solid phases at the unary 
point of transition. 
In conclusion I will emphatically point out that it is very well 
possible that in many respects the real 7',c-figure of the system sul- 
phur deviates from the diagram given here. The system sulphur may 
be pseudo-quaternary, or even still more complicated. Moreover it is 
very well possible, indeed it is even probable, that in the pseudo- 
binary systems no eutectic points occur etc., but, however strange 
this may seem, this is just now of minor importance. 
At present the only end in view can be this to find a means to 
express the fundamental thought, that we meet here with a system 
that is composed of more than two kinds of molecules, and of which 
not only the unary vapour- and liquid phases, but also the unary 
solid phases are states in which these different kinds of molecules 
are in equilibrium. Starting from this idea the figure given here was 
drawn up, which will probably appear to be able for the present to 
account satisfactorily for the observed phenomena. 
Amsterdam, Sept. 25 1912. Anorg. chem. lab. of the University 
Chemistry. — “The inverse occurrence of solid phases in the system 
iron-carbon.” By Prof. A. Smits. (Communicated by Prof. 
A. F. HOLLEMAN.) 
Through an investigation made by Rurr*) concerning the comple- 
tion of the T,x-figure of the system iron-carbon I came to the con- 
clusion some time ago that stable carbides probably occur in this 
system’). Shortly after there appeared an abstract of a preliminary 
investigation by Wrrrorr ®), written in Russian, which seemed to 
confirm this surmise. When what seems very probable to me, the 
results of Wirtorr are correct, we meet in the system iron-carbon 
with a pecularity, as I demonstrated before, which has been met 
with up to now only in the system ceriumsulphate-water. This 
peculiarity consists in the inverse occurrence of solid phases. One of 
1) Metallurgie 458, 497 (1911). 
2) Z. f. Eiektr. Chem. 18, 362 (1912). 
3) Russ. phys. chem. Ges. 43, 1613 (1911). Compt. rend 1912, 1091, 
