534 Chronicles of Science. [Oct., 



liquid glue, 5 of gutta-percha, and 2^ of caoutchouc, care having 

 been taken to mix the two latter substances with coal-tar oil, and 

 thus to render them gelatinous; next, 10 parts of coal-tar, 5 of 

 pulverized sulphiu-, 2 of pulverized alum, and 5 of powdered resin 

 are added, and the mixture heated to 300^ F. After having 

 cooled, a substance is obtained which, in every respect, is said to 

 equal genuine ebony wood, but is far less expensive, and takes a 

 finer polish. 



M. H. Pajot has made a series of experiments on the large 

 scale at the blast-furnaces of Baudonnay, departement de I'Ome, 

 and found that the fact announced many years ago by Messrs. 

 Lyon Playfair and Bunsen, of the presence of cyanide of potassium 

 in blast-furnaces, is a reality, and that the salt is formed there in 

 such large quantities that it might easily become a useful and 

 plentiful by-product of ironworks. 



A French technical paper especially devoted to the art of 

 paper-manufacture, states that any alterations or falsification of 

 writings in ordinary ink may be rendered impossible by passing 

 the paper upon which it is intended to write through a solution of 

 gallic acid in pure distilled water. After the paper thus prepared 

 has become thoroughly dry, it may be used as ordinary paper for 

 writing ; but any attempt made to alter, falsify, or change anything 

 written thereon, will be left perfectly visible, and may thus be 

 readily detected. 



On the evening of the 22nd of May last, at 9.45 p.m. local time, 

 there was heard at Vaunes, the capital town of the department of 

 Morbihan, a heavy report, like that due to the firing of large 

 ordnance, while the sky was at the same time illuminated by a 

 bluish white light, accompanied by sparks somewhat like those of 

 fireworks. The next day M. Limur learned that, at Cleguerec, a 

 meteoric stone had fiillen, which had been broken into pieces by the 

 peasantry, and fragments of which, weighing 22 and 1 6 kilos., had 

 been secured by some parties who, knowing the value scientific 

 men attach to these extra-terrestrial visitors, will shortly send them 

 to Paris for investigation. 



Proceedings of the Chemical Society. 



In continuance of our reports of this Society, we have to record 

 that on June 3 the Society met to hear a lecture by the President 

 (Dr. Wilhamsou) "On the Atomic Theory." It is impossible 

 for us to give a condensed report which will do justice to so 

 important a subject. 



The Chaii'man, Dr. Miller, proposed a vote of thanks to 



