388 Chronicles of Scrence. [July, 
Organic Compounds in presence of excess of Alkali.” This paper was 
in continuation of researches which the authors had brought forward 
at previous meetings in reference to the estimation of organic nitrogen 
in water. They nowstate that an examination of typical substances 
lead them to the following results :—1. Some bodies yield the whole 
of their nitrogen as ammonia when treated with alkaline permanga- 
nate: of this class are asparagine, piperine, narcoline, and hippuric 
acid. 2. Some bodies give off half their contained nitrogen as 
ammonia: amongst this class are to be found morphia, strychnine, 
quinine, nicotine, toluidine, and acetate of rosaniline. 3. One body, 
creatine, gives off one-third of its contained nitrogen. 4. Theine 
gives off one-fourth of its nitrogen. 5. Other bodies have been 
found to evolve various proportions of nitrogen: thus, uric acid 
gives off about 7 per cent. of ammonia; caseine, 7-6 per cent. ; and 
albumen about 10 per cent. This paper was followed by a “Note 
on Dr. Frankland’s Process of Water Analysis,” by Mr. Chapman ; 
and another paper by the same author, “On the Estimation of Nitric 
Acid in Potable Waters.” He first distils the water with pure caustic 
soda to remove all ready-formed ammonia, and then adds aluminium 
foil and distils agam. The nascent hydrogen reduces the nitric 
acid to ammonia, which is collected in the receiver and estimated by 
Nessler’s test. A general discussion on Messrs. Wanklyn and 
Chapman’s proposed method of water analysis then took place, in 
which Dr. Williamson, Dr. Odling, and Professor Abel took part. 
The general opinion seemed adverse to the process. 
Mr. W. H. Perkin, F.R.S., then read a paper “On the Hydride 
of Aceto-Salicyle,” a body which was mentioned in a former paper. 
It is a white crystalline mass, possessed of aldehydic properties, 
formed by the action of acetic anhydride on the hydride of sodium- 
salicyle. A paper then followed “On the Absorption of Vapours by 
Charcoal,” by Mr. Hunter. In these experiments, cocoa-nut char- 
coal was used, and amongst the substances whose absorptions were 
ascertained under various circumstances of temperature and pressure 
were the vapours of ethylamine, iodide of ethyl, acetate of methyl, 
camphor, nitro-benzol, bisulphide of carbon, alcohol, and methylic 
alcohol. The next paper was “On the Occurrence of Prismatic 
Arsenious Acid,” by Mr. F. Claudet. This was interesting, as illus- 
trating the dimorphism of arsenious acid. It had been formed by a 
very slow process of oxidation, and the form was probably modified 
by the sulphurous atmosphere pervading that part of the mine 
where it was found. The next papers were two by Dr. Stenhouse, 
“On the Action of Nitric Acid on Picramic Acid,” and “ On Chlo- 
ranil.” These were followed by one by Messrs. Chapman and Smith, 
“On the Action of Zinc Ethyl on Nitrous and Nitric Ethers ;” 
after which the meeting adjourned at an unusually late hour. 
At the meeting on March 19th the proceedings were opened 
