Miscellanies. 193 
and the oxide of latanium, which isa very strong base, may be sepa- 
rated by nitric acid, mixed with 100 parts of water. 
Oxide of latanium is not reduced by potassium; but by the action 
of potassium on the chloride of latanium, a gray metallic powder is 
obtained, which oxidises in water with the evolution of hydrogen 
gas, and is converted into a white hydrate. 
The sulphuret of latanium may be produced by heating the oxide 
strongly in the vapor of oxide [sulphuret?] of carbon. Itis of a pale 
yellow color, decomposes water with the evolution of hydrosulphurie 
acid, and is converted into a hydrate. 
The oxide of latanium is of a brick-red color, which does not appear 
to be owing to the presence of oxide of cerium. It is converted by 
hot water into a white hydrate, which destroys the blue color of lit- 
mus paper reddened by an acid; it is rapidly dissolved even by very 
dilute acids ; and when it is used in excess, itis converted into a sub- 
salt. The salts have an astringent taste, without any mixture of sweet- 
hess; the crystals are wholly of a rose-red color. The sulphate of 
Potash does not precipitate them, unless they are mixed with salts of 
cerium. When digested in a solution of hydrochlorate of ammonia, 
the oxide of latanium dissolves, with the evolution of ammonia. The 
atomic Weight of latanium is smaller than that assigned to cerium; 
that is to say, to a mixture of the two metals. 
Berzelius has repeated and verified the experiments of M. Mosan- 
—— Institut, May 14, 1839. Lond. and Ed. Phil. Mag., May, 
9, 
13, Biography of Scientific Men.—Professor Webster of Harvard Uni- 
Versity has nearl y ready, from the press, a selection from the biographies of 
eminent scientific men in Europe, more particularly of those who have 
largely contributed to the progress of chemical science. The work will 
“omprise translations from the admirable Eloges” delivered before the 
F tench Academy of Sciences, by Cuvier, Arago, &c., and from the me- 
olrs published in the various philosophical Journals and Transactions of 
other learned societies in Europe. A copious list of the writings of the 
Individuals will be connected with the biography of each, and great facil- 
Illes be thus afforded to the student for reference to original papers. | 
The size of the volume will be between four and five hundred pages, and 
Me price not to exceed three dollars. We cannot doubt that this work 
Will prove both valuable and interesting. Few persons in this country 
®an have access to the original sources of information ; and Prof. Web- 
ster is therefore performing an acceptable service by bringing the history, 
the labors, and the personal traits of many eminent men before the Amer- 
ean public. It is superfluous to add that he will acquit himself with good 
Vol. sxxvix, No. 1.—July, 1839, bis. 5 
