396 A new Chemical Subslatice. — Death of Mr. Nicholson. 



lages, and almost through the whole extent of the eruption, the 

 ground remains covered with sand to the deptli of half a yard, 

 and scarcely a single tree is left alive. The crater of the volcano 

 has lowered, as I judge, more than 20 fathoms; andon the south 

 side discovers a spacious and horrid mouth, which it is frightful 

 to look at. Three new ones are opened at a considerable di- 

 stance from the principal crater, through which also smoke and 

 ashes were incessantly emitted. In short, the most beautiful vil- 

 lages of Camarines and the principal part of that province are 

 converted into a barren sand. 



DISCOVERY OF A NEW CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE. 



Since our last, we have received a most valuable communica- 

 tion on various scientific subjects from M. Van Mons of Brussels. 

 We have only room for insertion this month of the following ac- 

 count of a new chemical substance. " My friend Brugnatelli 

 writes to me : ' If we throw some indigo on burning coals, or on 

 a heated plate of iron, there arises into the "air a superb violet- 

 coloured vapour, which 1 thought at first was iodine, but which 

 an ulterior examination convinced me was a peculiar body. This 

 vapour is condensed upon cooling into very brilliant violet-co- 

 loured crystals, which are square prisms. On bringing this va- 

 pour at the moment of its formation into contact with mercury, 

 a soft and even concrete amalgam is the result : the n:etal must 

 be heated, and the vapour ascending.' M. Brugnatelli consi- 

 ders this violet crystalline matter, the vapour of which is so su- 

 perb, as the colouring principle, which, with fecula, forms in- 

 digo ; and he calls it indign-gene: he is led to believe that it is 

 a kind of vegetable metal. When indigo has lost this principle, 

 it no longer assumes after friction that dazzling lustre which di- 

 stinguishes it. M. Brugnatelli remarks very judiciously, that if 

 the system is persisted in of naming bodies according to their 

 colour, this substance must still be called iode." 



DEATH OF MR AVILLIAM NICHOLSON. 



With sincere regret we announce the death of Mr. William 

 Nicholson, many years conductor of the Philosophical Journal. 

 He died after a lingering and painful illness at his house in 

 Charlotte Street, Bloomsburv, on the 21st of May. The loss 

 of this gentleman will be felt not only by bis family and friends, 

 but by the scientific world at large. He was the author of many 

 standard works in various branches of science and experimental 

 philosophy; and from his known talents, and profound acquaint- 

 ance with every thing connected with these subjects, he Avas 

 usually consulted as to the practicability and general detail of all 

 new scientific or philosophical works, with infinite advantage to 



their 



