M. Kiindig on Acetamide. 135 



laid hoi'izontally upon one of the free polar surfaces of the great 

 electro-magnet, we may bring a narrow column of a conducting 

 liquid upon the same surface. Such a column breaks, by being 

 deflected at its middle point in opposite directions, if we plunge 

 the electrodes of a galvanic battery of about two Grove's ele- 

 ments into its ends. Such breaking occurs in exactly the same 

 direction as the former dischai'ge-current, when the warmth- 

 pole, with the magnetic light-atmosphere, corresponds to the 

 negative electrode of the battery. We may also render the forces 

 visible which act upon the electric light-current, by placing a 

 shallow vessel of mercury upon the pole-sm'face of the excited 

 magnet, and observing the motions which ensue in the liquid 

 on the introduction into it of the two electrodes of the same 

 battery. Or, finally, we may fasten two pivots upon two oppo- 

 site points of the edge of the vessel, and balance upon them two 

 strips of copper (which may have considerable weight), each pro- 

 vided with a platinum point at one end, in such a manner that 

 the platinum points dip into the mercury above the centre of the 

 polar surface, and in the line joining the two opposite pivots. 

 If then the two electrodes of the battery be connected with the 

 pivots, the current is completed through the mercury, and on 

 exciting the magnet the two copper strips are forcibly diiven 

 asunder; and the direction of this repulsion agrees with the 

 direction of the stream of light, if the latter be viewed as above 

 described. Finally, if with the two hands we dii'cct the wire 

 which completes the circuit between the two armatures laid upon 

 the polar surfaces, or equatorially above or below the place of 

 greatest magnetic action, we feel the wire either strongly pulled 

 downwards, or driven upwards according to the direction of the 

 current and the kind of polarity which we call into play. And 

 these two motions occur as with the luminous induced current, 

 if we suppose its direction to be such that the warmth-electrode 

 with the magnetic luminous atmosphere is the negative electrode. 

 Bonn, Januaiy 26, 1858. 



XV. Chemical Notices from Foreign Journals. 



By E. Atkinson, Ph.D. 



[Continued from vol. xv. p. 459.] 



KUNDIG* found that acetate of ammonia, simply distilled, 

 loses water, and is converted in great part into acetamide. 

 When heated, ammonia first escapes at 160° C, the thermo- 

 meter remains constant for some time, and an acid distillate 

 passes over which is probably acid acetate of ammonia. As 

 soon as the tliermonicter rises above 160° C, the distillate con- 

 tains a large quantity of acetamide, which at a little higher tem- 

 * Liebig's Annalen, March 1868. 



