Intelligence and Miscella7ieous Articles. 65 



orbits of double stars, Capt. Jacob has only been satisfied with that 

 of 12 Cassiopeiae, which is circular, inclined to the eye at an angle 

 of 33°; period, oOTG years; nearest approach, 1888-0; greatest 

 and least distances, 12"-6 and 6"-9 ; position of node, 54°1. This 

 seems a fair first approximation. 



XV. Intelligence and Miscellaiieous Articles. 



BUKATITE A NEW MINERAL. 



THIS mineral is a hydrocarbonate of zinc, copper and lime, in de- 

 finite proportions ; it crystallizes in bluish radiating needles ; 

 its specific gravity is 3-20. Its composition, according to the ana- 

 lysis of M. Delesse, is — 



Carbonic acid 21 '45 



Oxide of zinc 32-02 



Lime 8-G2 



Oxide of copper 29'46 



Water 8-45 



The relations between the elements lead to the formula 2 (Zn, 

 Cu, Ca,) C + aq, and admitting the ideas of M. Scheerer on poly- 

 merous isomorphism, we obtain the very simple formula CO- (RO)^. 

 Buratite has been found in the copper mines of Lotefskoi in the 

 Altai mountains, at Chessy near Lyons, at Temperino in Tuscany. 

 and in several other localities. — Comptes Rendus, Octobre 26. 



ON BISULPHUUET, TERSULPHURET, AND SULPHOCYANURET OF 

 METHYLE. BY M. AUGUSTS CAHOURS. 



The first-named compound is obtained with equal facility bypass- 

 ing a current of chloromethylic gas into an alcoholic solution of bi- 

 sulphuret of potassium, or by distilling a mixture of the concentrated 

 solutions of bisulphuret of potassium and sulphomethylate of lime. In 

 both cases a slightly yellow limpid liquid is obtained, which begins 

 to boil at 230° to about 234° F.,its boiling-point reaching from 320° 

 to 338° F. 



If the alkaline sulphurct employed be very pure, the greater part of 

 the liquid distils between 230° and 248" F. By separating this 

 product, drying it over chloride of calcium and submitting it to one 

 or two rectifications, a definite liquid is obtained which boils between 

 241° and 245° F. : this is the bisulphuret of methyle. When pure it 

 is a colourless liquid, perfectly limpid, refracting light powerfully, 

 and possessing an intolerable and persistent odour of onions. Its 

 density is 1-040 at 64"-4 F. It is scarcely soluble in water, but 

 nevertheless imparts to it its peculiar smell : alcohol and aether com- 

 bine with it in all i)roportions. On the approach of an ignited body 

 it inflames and burns with a blue flame, yielding a strong smell of 

 sulphurous acid. 



Chlorine acts powerfully on this comi)ound : there is at first 

 r/iil. Mag. S. 3. Vol. 30. No. \98. Jan. 18^7. ¥ 



