a 
434 3 Scientific Intelligence. 
shores of the Lakes Erie and Michigan, this is a sulphuret of 
mercury, and yields about sixty per cent. It isso easy to be 
obtained, and in so convenient a form for diattiatins that it 
must become an important article of commerce.’ 
_ The native lead was found on the Anglaize River, ata con- 
siderable distance from the fort. 
Of this he says, “metallic lead is so interspersed with ga 
lena, as to prove incontestably the existence of native lead.” 
Respectfully, 
Your obedient Servant, 
J. L. COMSTOCK. 
see: Hartford, Conn, Feb. 17, 1819. 
Benjamin Silliman, M. D., &c 
2. Theoretical views of Professor Hare of Philadelphia. 
We are authorized to mention, that Dr. Robert Hare has 
taught in his lectures during the last eighteen months, that acid 
properties never appearing in the absence of water, this fluid 
or its elements are most entitled to be considered as the acidi- 
fying principle : but that probably it does not exist in acids as 
water, but is decom mp when _added to them, the particles 
of hydrogen and oxygen by their different. polarities taking 
opposite sides of those composing the base. The extrication 
of hydrogen by the action of diluted sulphuric acid on iron or 
zinc, being the consequence of a previous, not simultaneous 
decomposition of water. Hence when sulphuric or nitric 
acids are so concentrated as to char. or ignite, they are not 
acide reall 
3. New Work on Chemistry. 
Dr. John Gorham of Boston, Professor of Chemistry in 
Harvard University, &c. has published the first volume of his 
Elements of Chemical Science, The work will be comprised 
in two volumes, and its completion will be anticipated with in- 
- terest by the scientific public, 
