Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 157 



iron, vanadic acid, tin, and perhaps a little molybdic acid. The 

 following are the analyses : — 



Damour. Berlin. 



Silica 17-52 Silica 17-78 



Thorina 71-65 Thorina 73-29 



Lime 1-59 Lime 0-92 



Oxide of lead 0-88 O.xide of uranium , . "^ 



Oxide of uranium .... M3 Peroxide of iron I Q.gg 



Oxide of manganese . . 0-28 Tin C 



Peroxide of iron 0-31 Vanadium J 



Magnesia trace Water 7-12 



Alumina 0-17 10000 



Potash 0-14 



Soda 0-33 



Water, with trace ofl g.^^ 



carbonic acid .... J 



100-14 



Damour deduces from his analysis the formula 3ThO + Si03 + 2HO. 

 Berzelius assumed that thorite consisted of several silicates, but prin- 

 cipally of a silicate of thorina of the formula 3ThO + SiO^ + 2HO. 

 Damour is of opinion that Berzelius's analyses do not lead to any 

 definite proportion ; but they prove that orangite and thorite are 

 identical, and that the metal donarium must be struck from the list 

 of simple bodies. 



Berlin also calculates from his analysis the formula 

 3ThO + Si03 + 2HO, 

 and is likewise of opinion that orangite is only a purer thorite. He 

 also draws attention to a peculiar property of thorina. It is stated 

 that calcined thorina is insoluble in acids. This is correct as far as 

 regards the earth obtained by calcining the hydrate, but not for that 

 obtained by igniting the oxalate, which dissolves slowly in hydro- 

 chloric acid.— Cd«<ra/ Blatt, June 2^ 1852. 



ON A NEW MODE OF MEASURING HIGH TEMPERATURES. 

 BY MR. JOHN WILSON. 

 After referring to, and describing briefly the pyrometers at 

 present in use, the paper explained the method employed by the 

 author to measure high temperatures. According to his plan, a 

 given weight of platinum is exposed for a few minutes to the fire, 

 the temperature of which is required to be measured, and then 

 plunged into a vessel containing water of a determined weight and 

 temperature. After the heat of the platinum has been communi- 

 cated to the water, the temperature of the water is ascertained ; and 

 from this is estimated the temperature to which the platinum was 

 subjected. Thus, if the piece of jrlatinum employed be 1000 grains, 

 and the water into which it is plunged be 2000 grains, and its tem- 

 perature Q>QP, should the lieated platinum when dropped into the 

 water raise its temperature to 90", then 90°— 60°=30°; which, 

 multiplied by 2 (because the water is twice the weight of the pla- 

 tinum), gives CO , that an equal weight of water would have been 

 raised. Again; should the water in another case gain 40°, then 



