82 Chronicles of Science. [Jan., 
Mr. Abel explained that this resulted from the entire absence of 
free carbonic acid. 
Dr. Gladstone afterwards read a paper “On the Pyropho- 
sphoric Amides.” 
At the meeting of December 5th, Mr. W. H. Perkin read a paper 
“On the Artificial Production of Coumarine,” which was a detailed 
account of the researches briefly referred to at page 400 of our last 
volume. It was there stated that by the action of acetic anhydride 
on the hydride of sodium salicyl, the author had obtained a product 
completely identical with the natural coumarine extracted from the 
Tonquin bean. A most remarkable fact established by the extended 
researches of the author is, that by acting on the hydride of sodium 
salicyl with homologous anhydrides, such as butyric and valerie, other 
coumarines are obtained, which differ in composition exactly as the 
anhydrides, but agree in possessing in a greater or less degree the 
same odour, and behave, chemically, precisely the same as the 
natural coumarine. For the theoretical considerations we must 
refer our readers to the chemical journals. 
Professor Church then made a preliminary communication on a 
Singular Colouring Matter obtained from some Feathers of a Bird 
of the Touraco family. This bird has crimson feathers in its wings, 
and it has been observed by ornithologists that rain washes the red 
colour out. This statement has been confirmed by the experiments 
of Mr. Church, which show that the colouring matter of the bar- 
bioles is really soluble in water, and particularly in water rendered 
slightly alkaline. An acid precipitates the colouring matter from 
the alkaline solution, and when separated it is found to be insoluble 
in alcohol and ether, and to resist the action of acids, short of com- 
pletely destructive agents. On incinerating some of this colouring 
matter, Mr. Church made the still more extraordinary discovery 
that it contains a large proportion of copper. The absorption 
spectrum of the coloured solution differs but little from that of 
arterial blood. Mr. Church is continuing his investigations, and 
will give a further account of the substance at a future meeting. 
A short paper, by Mr. J. Willams, on the Preparation of Arti- 
ficial Urea, was then read. The author finds that cyanate of lead 
digested at a gentle heat with sulphate of ammonia is the most 
convenient means to employ. The urea or cyanate of ammonia is 
of course easily separated from the sulphate of lead. 
Dr. A. W. Hofmann, whose appearance was welcomed with 
acclamations, then showed some Lecture Experiments to the meet- 
ing. The first illustrated the formation of methylic aldehyde.* 
This body has only been recently obtained. Former attempts to 
procure it from methylic alcohol have only resulted in complete 
* See ‘ Chemical News,’ Dec. 6, 1867, p. 285. 
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