182 



Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



first column expresses the specific gravity by experimeat ; the 

 third column, that deduced from the focal distances. 



luchei. 



Water 1.000 23.75 



Sol of muriatic acid 1.055 25. 



1.087 27.7 



1.121 26.6 



- 1.146 27. 



- 1.177 28. 



1.000 

 1.053 

 1.088 

 1.121 

 1.138 

 1.180 



With nitric and sulphuric acids the specific gravities increased 

 at a much greater rate than the focal distances. 



4. Formation oj" Ammonia. — Mr. R. Phillips has added another 

 process to those already known, illustrative of the composition 

 and formation of ammonia. When phosphoric acid is formed by 

 the action of nitric acid on phosphorus, water is decomposed at 

 the same time with the nitric acid, the hydrogen and nitrogen 

 combine, and ammonia results ; so that, after the action, the 

 fluid contains phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and ammonia. The 

 presence of the latter is easily ascertained, by adding a portion 

 of potash or lime to the acids, so as to neutralize them. The 

 heat occasioned by the action, volatilizes the ammonia. 



5. Change of Voice hj Hydrogen. — Mr. Cooper has ascer- 

 tained that if hydrogen gas be breathed for a few moments, it 

 has the curious effect of changing the voice. The effect is ob- 

 served, on the person speaking immediately after leaving the 

 vessel of hydrogen, but it soon goes off. No instance has yet 

 occurred in which this effect on the voice has not "been pro- 

 duced by the hydrogen. 



6. Acetate of Ahimine. — M. Colin has observed that, if white 

 clay be digested in the pyrolignious acid, before its purification 

 by combination with a base, that it dissolves and diminishes 

 the colour of the acid very much. This solution may be made 

 perfectly colourless by animal charcoal, and is so highly charg- 

 ed with alumine, that it becomes a magma, on the addition 

 of ammonia. The clay had been previously washed with weak 



