390 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
are cyanates, and the various fulminic acids bi-cyanates, and the 
equivalent number of cyanic acid will be 42.792, oxygen being 10. 
All attempts to separate the acid from the fulminates failed. Mu- 
riatic acid, hydriodic acid, and sulphuretted hydrogen, decompose 
the fulminate of silver even at common temperatures, giving rise to 
some particular results, which are described at considerable length in 
the Memoire. 
For the preparation of alkaline fulminates, it is recommended that 
the chlorides should be used: thus, to obtain the double fulminate 
of silver and potash decompose the fulminate of silver by solution 
of chloride of potassium, being careful to add no more of the chlo- 
ride than is sufficient to precipitate half the silver, or even a smaller 
quantity; for the undecomposed fulminate of silver being scarcely 
soluble, will remain with the chloride of silver, and the solution 
will contain the pure double fulminate of silver and potash. Cau- 
tions are again enforced at the end of this paper on the care required 
in working with these substances. 
26. Supposed new Metal, Taschium.—A description of a new 
metal, with an accompanying specimen, has been sent to the Presi- 
dent of the Royal Society. 
The metal has received the name of Taschium, from the mine of 
Taschio, in which it was found. 
The specimen sent was said to be silver containing the new metal, 
the two metals having been separated by amalgamation, and the mer- 
cury afterwards driven off. On dissolving the button in pure nitric 
acid, it was stated that the Taschium would remain as a black powder. 
The Taschium was described as being combustible, with a bluish 
flame, a peculiar smell, and dissipation of the products. Amal- 
gamating with mercury, and in that way being separated from its 
ores. Not soluble in any single acid, but soluble in nitro-muriatic 
acid. If previously boiled with potash, then soluble in muriatic 
acid, the solution being precipitated by water. Its solution giving, 
with prussiate of potash, a blue precipitate brighter even than that 
with solution of iron, but not precipitating with tincture of galls. 
The button was therefore dissolved in nitric acid, which left a 
blackish powder in small quantity, and also some grains of siliceous 
sand. The powder was well washed, and then being heated on pla- 
tina foil in the flame of a spirit lamp, did not burn or volatilize, 
but became of a deep redcolour. Muriatic acid being added to 
another portion of the washed powder, and a gentle heat applied, 
dissolved by far the greater part of it, forming a red solution, which 
being evaporated till the excess of acid was driven off, and then 
tested, gave blue precipitate with prussiate of potash; black with 
tincture of galls; and reddish-brown with ammonia. On evapo- 
rating to dryness, it left muriate of iron. Nitro-muriatic acid being 
made to act on the minute portion of powder yet remaining, dis- 
