43 Notices respecting Netv Books, 



did not produce crystallization ; but after the introduction of a 

 new quantity, tjie solution congealed in one mass. If we take 

 it saturated at the degree of its ebullition, it will crystallize al- 

 most constantly in vacuo, as well as in the air. 



A solution of alum saturated at the temperature of 40° did 

 not crystallize in two small tubes, one of which was kept open: 

 a slight agitation determined the crystallization in both. 



Nitre in solution, weak or concentrated, crystallized constantly 

 in the same way in vacuo, and in the open air : the case was 

 the same with the solutions of barytes and of strontian slightly 

 super-saturated ; with the oxalic acid, the muriates of soda and 

 ammonia, the nitrate of lead, and the sulphate of potash. It is 

 to be remarked, that the saline solutions which crystallize with 

 most reluctance in vacuo are precisely those which sometimes 

 remain super-saturated in the air. We see from this, that the 

 fact from which we set out, in order to establish as a principle, 

 tliat the solvent power of water depends on the pressure of the 

 atmosphere, is not general ; but even supposing that this was 

 the case, it would not be the le^s clearly demonstrated by the 

 experiments which I have related, that the solvent power of 

 water is totally independent of any pressure exercised on its 

 surface. 



XI. Notices respecting New Books. 



J. HE First Part of the Philosophical Transactions for 1814 has 

 appeared ; the following are its contents : 



1. A Synoptic IScale of Chemical Equivalents. By William 

 Hyde WoUaston, M.D. Sec. R.S. — 2. Methods of clearing Equa- 

 tions of quadratic, cubic, quadrato-cubic, and higher Surds. By 

 William Alhnan, M.D. Communicated by tlie Right Hon. Sir 

 Joseph Banks, K.B. P. R.S. — 3. Anahsis of a nev; Species of 

 Copper Ore. By Thomas Thomson, M.D. F.R.S. L. au'l E. — 

 4. The Bakerian Lecture : on some new Electro-chenvcal Phae- 

 iiomena. By William Thomas Brande, Esq. F.Il.S. Prow Chem. 

 R.I. — 5. An Account of some new Experiments on the fluoric 

 Compounds ; with some Observations on oth r 01 i^ets of Che- 

 mical Inquiry. By Sir H. Davy, LL.D. i-.R-S." V.P.R.I. — 

 6. Some Experiments and Observ.itions on a new Substance which 

 become:; a violet-coloured Gas by Heat. By Sir Humphry Daw, 

 LL.D. F.R.S. V.P. R.I. — 7- An Account of a Family having 

 Hands and Feet with supernumerary Fingers and loes. By 

 Anthony Carlisle, Esq. F.R.S. In a Letter addressed to the 

 Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K.B. P.R.S.— 8. Experi- 

 ments and Observations on the Influence of the Nerves of the 



eighth 



