Chemical Sciejice. 163 



lence. This is the first instance known to us of heat produced 

 by friction of a solid against a liquid. M. Fictet.— Bib. 

 Univ. xxi. 134. 



18. Condensation of Gases into Liquids. — In a note annexed 

 to Mr. Faraday's paper, (page 74 of this Number,) we have 

 mentioned the result of some experiments made by him in the 

 laboratory of the Royal Institution, and which led to obtaining 

 chlorine and muriatic acid .n the liquid form. By pursuing 

 this mode of experimenting, sulphuretted hydrogen, sulphurous 

 acid, carbonic acid, cyanogen, euchlorine, and nitrous oxide, have 

 been also found to assume the liquid form under pressure, and 

 to appear as limpid and highly mobile fluids. It is probable 

 that other gases may be condensed by similar means, and that 

 nitrogen, oxygen, and even hydrogen itself may yield, provided 

 sufficient pressure can be commanded. Some of Mr. Perkins's 

 experiments render it more than probable that atmospheric air 

 under a pressure of some hundred atmospheres changes its 

 form ; and it is not unlikely, that some very curious and inte- 

 resting results may be obtained by the aid of a slight modifi- 

 cation of the apparatus used by that gentleman in his researches 

 connected with high pressure steam. 



19. Electricity of a Cat. — The electricity excited upon rub- 

 bing the back of a cat is well known, and that it is rendered 

 evident by snapping noise and sparks of light. Mr. Glover, in 

 a letter to the editor of the Philosophical Magazine, describes 

 so intense an action of this kind, as to enable the animal to give 

 a very sensible electrical shock. This effect was obtained at plea- 

 sure by Mr. Glover, and also by some friends. When the cat was 

 sitting on the lap of the person, if the left hand were placed under 

 the throat with the middle finger and the thumb gently pressing 

 the bones of the animal's shoulder, and the right hand were pass- 

 ed along the back, shocks were felt in the left hand ; and when 

 the right hand was placed under the throat, whilst the left hand 

 rubbed the back, the shocks were felt in the right hand. When 

 the atmosphere has been favourable, and the cat had lain some 

 time before the fire, the experiment always succeeded. — P/til. 

 Mag. Ix. 467. 



20. Magnetism of Solar Rays.— The Royal Academy of 

 Sciences, at Lyons, have offered a prize of 300 francs, for an 

 Vol. XV. M 



