— te. > 
1866.| Chemistry. 579 
problems among the most abstruse to be met with in the whole 
range of animal chemistry.” Dr. Commaille’s memoir is an 
important contribution to our knowledge of these ill-defined shapes. 
On advanced Organic Chemistry, it is hardly necessary to say 
that a large number of papers have been published, but for these 
we must refer our readers to journals specially devoted to the 
science. 
Among recent publications on Chemistry, we may direct 
attention to a very useful little manual by Dr. Roscoe, entitled 
‘Lessons in Elementary Chemistry. * It forms an admirable 
introduction to the study of the science on modern principles. 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 
On June 7, Professor Wanklyn read a paper “ On the Oxidation- 
products of the Propione produced from Carbonic Oxide and 
Sodium Ethyl;” Mr. E. T. Chapman gave an account of “Some 
Decompositions of Nitrite of Amyl;” and Mr. Bassett described 
“A Cyanogen Derivative of Marsh Gas.” Abstracts were also read 
of papers by Drs. Stenhouse and Miller “On the Preparation of 
Chrysammic Acid and Chrysammic Ether;” by Professor Kolbe 
and G. Wirchen, entitled ‘“‘A Preliminary Notice of Phthalic 
Aldehyde ;” and the title of a paper by the late Mr. E. A. Hadow 
was read. ‘This paper, which gives the results of some of the 
latest work of its skilful and conscientious author, is on the 
Platmum bases; the best mode of obtaining and identifying them. 
At the same meeting Mr. A. Vernon Harcourt delivered a 
lecture “On the Course of Chemical Change.” 
On June 21, Dr. F. ©. Calvert gave an account of some 
experiments made by himself and Mr. Johnson “On the Action of 
Acids upon Metals and Alloys.” 
These experiments possess great scientific as well as practical 
value, since they have led the authors to the following established 
conclusions: 1. That the extent of action of any acid upon an alloy 
cannot always be predicted from the known effects of the same acid 
upon individual metals. 2. That a variation in the proportion of 
the constituent metals, no greater even than 10 per cent., will 
sometimes entirely change the character of an alloy, so far as 
regards its corrosion by and solubility im acids. 3. That the 
influence of water in modifying the action of acids on metals and 
alloys is, in nearly all cases, very considerable. Among the most 
interesting of the results were those obtained by the action of | 
sulphuric acid of various strengths on pure zinc. With monohy- 
* Macmillan & Co., 1866, 
