582 Chronicles of Science. [Oct., 
forward as one of promise; and General Helmersen has proved the 
extension of the coal-field on the western flanks of the Ural con- 
siderably to the south. A company has been formed, and two 
colliery viewers from our Midland Counties have been engaged to 
visit the district and to report upon the prospects. In a subse- 
quent number of ‘Les Mondes’ a letter from Sir Roderick Murchi- 
son directs attention to his work on the ‘Geology of Russia,’ in 
which the coal-fields of Russia are fully described, and their value 
very satisfactorily stated. This is followed by the poor excuse that 
“article erroné” was taken from an English journal. The editor 
of a scientific periodical should be taught that he ought not to 
rely on newspaper announcements which have not some mark of 
authenticity. 
The Siemens-Martin’s process for the manufacture of steel is 
exciting much attention at the present time. During the last few 
years experiments have been made by Martin to supplant crucible 
steel with reverberatory furnace-steel, and the final success appears 
to be due to the use of Siemens’ furnace and a due adjustment 
of the proportions of the materials employed. At the works of 
M. Verdie experiments on a large scale have been for some time 
going on, with every appearance of success, and similar results are 
now being obtained at the New Steel Works of Messrs. Samuelson 
and Co., near the Newport Iron Works, Middlesborough. 
The Martin process consists essentially of the fusion together 
on an open hearth of cast and wrought-iron with rich oxides of iron, 
in proper proportions and under proper conditions, especially that 
of temperature, the heat required bemg about 4,000° Fahr., which 
could only be obtained by the use of Siemens’ furnace. 
The apparatus consists of one Siemens’ regenerator furnace, one 
reverberatory furnace, and one heating furnace. The materials 
employed are Swedish iron, Spiegeleisen, wrought-iron,—specially- 
prepared Cleveland puddled bars,—in which the phosphorus has 
been eliminated as far as possible. The material used by M. Verdie 
is raw iron made from Algerian ores, and iron and steel shavings of 
the same origin. Ingots of very soft steel are more especially being 
manufactured at present, but any temper and hardness are said to 
be completely under command. 
The Iron Ores used in the Blast Furnaces of France are prin- 
cipally those of the Boulonnais, in the Pas-de-Calais, and of the 
Avesnes (Nord). The first-named ores, containing 27 per cent. 
of iron, are carried by railway to the furnaces of the Pas-de-Calais, 
and they cost, delivered at Denain, 14s. 6d. per ton. The second, 
found near Malplaquet, Fourmies, and Maubeuge, give from 34 to 
35 per cent. of iron, and are delivered at Fourmies at 6s. 8d. per 
ton. The oolitic ores of the Moselle and those of Champagne are 
said to yield 38 per cent. of iron, while those of Tournai give but 
