398 Scientific Intelligence, Sfc. 



was administered the extremities were rubbed with hot flannel, and 

 the abdomen fomented with infusion of chamomile. After some re- 

 lapses, the symptoms abated. Next day headache was present, the 

 pulse and the extremities were very weak. In three days digestion 

 was restored, but the debility was great. This agaricus must be 

 classed along with uarcotico-acrid poisons, as agaricus pipe rat us, 

 acris, or. — (Journ. de Chim. Medic, i. 490.) 



3. Colchicum Autumnale. — Dr. Schneider relates the cases of 

 two cows, which died in consequence of eating some meadow-grass, 

 in which were the seeds of the autumnal crocus. Opium, decoction 

 of linseed and chamomile-flowers were given without producing any 

 effect. — (Hehke's Zeitschrift fur Staatsarzneikunde, xxviii. 283.) 



X — New Minerals. 



1. Sulphuret qfNichel and Bismuth. — This mineral is found in 

 the district of Sayn Altenkirch, occurring along with quartz and 

 copper pyrites. It crystallizes in octahedrons. Lustre metallic. 

 Colour, lio-ht steel gray. Hardness, between that of fluor spar and 

 apatite! Before the blow-pipe, upon charcoal, it gives out in the 

 oxydating flame the odour of sulphurous acid, and after being long 

 exposed to the blast, leaves a metallic-grain which is attracted by 

 the magnet. It affords no fumes of arsenic or antimony. With 

 soda, a sulphuret is obtained and a white metallic grain which is mag- 

 netic. With borax, in the oxydating flame, a transparent brown 

 glass is formed ; in the reducing flame, a glass possessing a similar 

 colour but mixed with precipitated nickel. With salt of phosphorus 

 a brown glass is formed, which on cooling, becomes faintly green. 

 The specific gravity could not be determined, in consequence of the 

 quartz with which it was mixed. It dissolves readily in ;icids. Its 

 constituents, according to Kobell are, sulphur 38-46 ; nickel 40*65 ; 

 iron 3-48; cobalt 028; bismuth 14-11; copper 1'68; lead 1-58. 

 Its composition may be represented by 8 Nk Sl+Bs SI 4 .— {Journal 

 fur praktische Chemie, vi. 332.) 



2. Oerstedite. — This mineral described by Forchhammer, occurs 

 at Avendal, commonly seated in augite crystals. Colour, brown- 

 splendent. Crystals belonging to the compound pyramidal system. 

 The terminal angle of the first pyramid is 128° 10' 30". The 

 shape has some resemblance to that of Zircon, the angle of which 

 is 123° 19'. Specific gravity 3-629. Hardness, between felspar and 

 apatite. It consists of silica 19-708 ; lime 2-612 ; magnesia 2-047 ; 

 protoxide of iron 1-136; titanic acid and zirconia 68-965; water 

 5-532; manganese a trace.— {Poggendorff's Ann. xxxv. 630.) 



3. Bin-arseuiet of'Nichel. — Mr. Booth has analyzed this mineral, 

 from Riechelsdorft','in Hess. Its colour is tin white with a tinge of 

 blueish o-ray. Ftises before the blow-pipe into a metallic bead, giving 

 out arsenic' and into a blue glass with borax. Its constituents^ are, 

 nickel 20-74; cobalt 3-37; iron 3-25; arsenic 72-64. The nickel 

 and cobalt were separated according to the method of Laugier, that of 

 Phillips having failed after repeated trials. — (SiUiman's Journal, 

 xxix. 241.) 



