530 Clironicles cf Science. [Oct., 



The formula Zr O2, Si 0., ascribed to zircon requires : 



Silicic acid 33-77 



Zirconia G6"23 



100-00 



with which the numbers found for jargon are closely approximative. 

 The results of this chemical examination must be considered as 

 strengthening the evidence, physical and chemical, that the earth 

 usually denominated zirconia is, in reahty, a compound of two, if 

 not more, closely alhed oxides. 



The details of an experiment, very important from a theoretical 

 point of view, have been published by M. E. Drechsel ; this is th« 

 reduction of carbonic acid to oxaHc acid. Clean sodium is placet 

 along with some sand in a clean flask, and a rapid stream of carbonic 

 acid gas is passed into the flask, which, at the same time, should be 

 heated to the temperature of boiling mercury ; the metal assumes a 

 purple colour, and after a few hours is converted into a dark pid- 

 verulent mass. After having cooled, the substances are withdrawn 

 from the flask, and the mass is exhaiisted with water, the aqueous 

 solution satm'ated with an excess of acetic acid and precipitated 

 with chloride of calcium, whereby the salt, oxalate of lime, is 

 obtained : 60 grms. of sodium yield, by this process, 6 grms. of pure 

 oxalate of lime. 



M. Boettger remarks that oxide of thalhum inflames sulphuretted 

 hydrogen when coming in contact with it ; so do pure peroxide 

 of manganese, peroxide of lead, and peroxide of silver obtained 

 galvanically. With binoxide of barium, chlorate of lead, and chlo- 

 rate of silver, the gas becomes vigorously inflamed ; fulminate of 

 silver also inflames the gas, and the salt explodes. lodido of 

 nitrogen explodes in contact with the gas, and gun-cotton is 

 inflamed by it under certain conditions. 



Dr. Matthiessen has succeeded in preparing, by the action of 

 hydrochloric acid on morphia, a new base which is likely to be of 

 considerable value from a physiological point of view. 



Morpliia is sealed up with a large excess of hydrochloric acid, 

 and heated to 140'^-150^ C. for two or three hours. The residue 

 in the tube contams the hydrochlorate of a new base, diftcriug con- 

 siderably in its properties from morphia. It may be obtained in a 

 state of purity by dissolving the contents of the tube in water, 

 adding excess of bicarbonate of sodium, and extracting the pre- 

 cipitate with ether or chloroform, in both of which the new base 

 is readily soluble, whilst morphia is almost insoluble in both 

 menstrua. This new base is called apomorphia. 



When the hydrochlorate of apomorphia in a moist state is 

 exposed to the air for some time, or if the dry salt is heated, it 



