Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 435 



The number 1, obtained on the coast of Brehat (Manche), forms 

 considerable ridges, which are worked for obtaining hydraulic lime. 

 The specimen employed for analysis was slightly disintegrated on 

 the surface, and, as it were, fossilized. It is to this circumstance 

 that the author attributes its containing so little organic matter. 

 No. 3 was obtained by M. Deshayes on the coast of Algeria. 'I'his 

 species is developed in great abundance on a vast extent of this 

 coast, and precisely on those places where the shock of the waves is 

 felt most strongly. The numbers 4 and 5, from the collection of the 

 Museum, were sent to the author by M. Decaisne. It is to be re- 

 marked, that the two last contain mere traces of carbonate of mag- 

 nesia, whilst the four others contain from 8^ to 17 per cent, of this 

 carbonate. In fact, the numbers 5 and 6 belong to families which 

 are very distinct from the preceding. The earthy matter which 

 covers them does not penetrate to the interior of the plant. The 

 numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4, are intimately penetrated with calcareous 

 and magnesian matter. 



The foregoing analyses seem to indicate that the groups of Coral- 

 linacese act the same part in the vegetable kingdom that the Polypi 

 and the greater part of the Mollusks do in the animal kingdom. By 

 means of their organization, these plants have the faculty of decom- 

 posing the water of the ocean, and to extract, secrete, and incorpo- 

 rate principally lime and magnesia converted into carbonate. The 

 development of these vegetables on certain coasts and in low lands, 

 and consequently the deposits of magnesian limestone which they 

 must occasion, seem also deserving of consideration in the study of 

 geological formations. — Comptes Rendus, Fevrier 1851. 



ON SULPHURET OF NITROGEN, AND ON SULPHUR INSOLUBLE IN 

 SULPHURET OF CARBON. BY MM. FORDOS AND GELIS. 



In Graham's 'Manual of Chemistry' there is a compound de- 

 scribed by the name of Gregory's sulphuret of nitrogen, which is 

 said to be formed of 12 equivs. sulphur and 1 of nitrogen. We have 

 attempted to reproduce this singular substance, but the results ob- 

 tained have led us not to admit its existence. We nevertheless fol- 

 lowed the directions of Dr. Gregory. We treated the chloride of 

 sulphur with liquid ammonia ; and after having observed ail the 

 peculiarities which accompany the reaction, and which have been 

 described with the greatest care by M. Soubeiran, we obtained a 

 yellow substance, possessing all the characters assigned by Dr. 

 Gregory to the sulpiiuret of nitrogen, and especially that of fur- 

 nishing an amethyst-red liquor when treated with alcoliol containing 

 a little potash. This coloration however quickly disappears. 



As this property likewise belongs to a mixture of sulphuret of 

 nitrogen and sulpliur, it appeared probable that it was due to tlicse 

 two substances; and we had recourse to sulphuret of carbon to 

 ascertain their presence. This liquid dissolved the greater portion 



2G2 



