80 Chronicles of Science. [ Jan., 
produced without apparent action, and forms an oily layer on the 
surface of the acids. This is separated, washed with warm water, 
and rectified over chloride of calcium. The nitrate of amyl thus 
obtained is a colourless liquid, which boils at 147°-148° C., and at 
7° or 8°C. has the same density as water. The inhalation of its 
vapour produces severe headache and other distressing symptoms. 
Mr. Robert Warington then gave a short account of a long 
series of experiments, undertaken to determine the part taken by 
Oxide of Iron and Alumina in the Absorptive Action of Soils. The 
results may be summed up in a few words. Ferric oxide and 
alumina were found to withdraw nearly all the phosphoric acid 
from a carbonic aqueous solution of tricalcic phosphate. Hence the 
author believes that all the phosphoric acid applied to land in the 
shape of manure must ultimately become converted into phosphates 
of these bases; and, if sufficient iron is present, by preference into 
phosphate of iron. The absorptive action of the soil is thus seen to 
be dependent upon chemical affinity, and not upon physical attrac- 
tion. As regards potassium and corresponding ammonium salts, it 
was found that the absorption was much greater in the cases of the 
phosphates, sulphates, and carbonates than with the chlorides and 
nitrates. 
A discussion followed, in which Professor Way and Drs. 
Voelcker and Gilbert joined. The accuracy of Mr. Warington’s 
results was not contested; but it seemed to be a general opinion 
that laboratory experiments of the kind described threw but little 
light on what happens in soils as they exist. Dr. Voelcker re- 
marked that there was a remarkable tendency in nature for the soil 
to take care of itself; and if there should happen to be a deficiency 
of any one ingredient, it was quickly remedied by prior selection 
from a mixture of materials presented in the shape of manure. Dr. 
Gilbert agreed in believing that soils have almost an instinct to 
guide them as to what they should do. 
‘The next communication was “ An Analysis of the Water of the 
Holy Well, a Medicinal Spring at Humphrey Head, North Lanca- 
shire,” by Mr. T. E. Thorpe. The water in question contains 
508°5 grains of salts in a gallon, of which 331:75 grains is chloride 
of sodium, 88°49 grains calcium sulphate, 9°17 potassium sulphate, 
24°39 grains sodium sulphate, and 43°48 grains magnesium chloride. 
The other ingredients need not be quoted. 
An abstract of a paper by Dr. Wanklyn and Mr. A. Gamgee 
was next read. It was “On the Action of Permanganate of Potash 
on Urea, Ammonia, and Acetamide in strongly Alkaline Solutions.” 
From the results obtained by the authors, it would seem that when 
artificial urea is heated in a pressure tube with a liboral amount of 
potash and permanganate, little or no oxidation takes place, and 
