138 Annual Retrospect. | Jan., 
of temperatures more or less elevated, have been continued with 
many important results, and lead, or are leading, to an explanation 
of some of the anomalies which have hitherto beset the laws of 
gaseous volumes, and the molecular theories of their constitution. 
Gun-cotton, nitro-glycerine, and several new gunpowders have 
been submitted to trial by practical men, with, as reported, very 
variable advantages. Gale’s process for rendering gunpowder non- 
explosive for stowage and transport has been taken up by a public 
company; but we believe it has not been applied on the large 
scale. Its real value has, therefore, yet to be determined. 
Mr. Crookes’s new and interesting process of increasing the 
amalgamating power of mercury by the aid of sodium has been 
rendered free from any of the objections which at first stood in the 
way of its adoption, and is now employed with much success and 
economy. 
Organic Chemistry still advances in the direction of those 
synthetical proofs of transformations which constitute its most 
striking feature. The researches of Frankland and Duppa, and 
of several of the German chemists, are progressing towards that 
“orand conception,” which seems to inspire Dr. Hofmann, “ of a 
natural classification of chemical bodies into genera and species, 
each distinguished by well-marked characteristics, not excluding 
individual varieties, but grouping them in subordination to collective 
laws.” 
The value of chemical inquiry becomes most apparent when 
it is skilfully applied to the improvement of manufactures, or to 
the removal of the injurious effects arising from them. In the 
first Annual Report of Dr. Angus Smith, the Inspector under the 
Alkali Act, we have satisfactory evidence of this. The whole 
question of the condensation of noxious gases is fully dealt with, 
and if Dr. Angus Smith’s knowledge as applied to this end, is only 
seconded by the attention of the manufacturer, all cause of com- 
plaint will speedily be removed from the alkali manufacture. 
Chemistry is naturally allied to metallurgy, and we find during 
the year considerable evidence of the activity with which experiments 
have been made to improve the processes or their results. Iron 
has especially claimed the attention of the French chemists, and 
some promising results have been reported. Experience shows that 
