Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 583 



planets, namely, that it shall be found in the mythology of Greece 

 or Rome. There is also an allusion to the peace actually reigning 

 in Europe, to the friendly feeling prevailing in relation to all fo- 

 reigners in England at the present moment, and, by implication, to 

 the arts and sciences fostered by Peace and represented in the 

 Crystal Palace. The symbol suggested is a dove with olive branch 

 and star on head. 



We intend to adopt this name and symbol (supposing there be 



no prior claim to the right of discovery) ; and, as emanating from so 



high an authority, we hope it will be received with satisfaction by 



astronomers as a humble tribute to the art and science of the world. 



I remain. Sir, yours respectfully, 



Mr. Bishop's Obsenatory, Regent's Park, J. R. Hind*. 



DISCOVERY OF A NEW METAL. BY DR. BERGEMANN. 



In making some experiments with the Woehlerite and Enkolite 

 from the zirkon -syenite of Brevjg in Norway, the author sepa- 

 rated a substance, which, both in its oxidized state as well as in its 

 compounds, differed from all the known simple bodies. The name 

 of donarium has been assigned to it after the I'eutonic god Donar, 

 the northern Thor. 



The mineral in which it occurs is easily decomposed, and forms, with 

 muriatic acid a perfectly transparent jelly, without the least residue. 

 The separation of tiie different constituents presented no difficulty. 

 The finely-powdered mineral, dried at 212°, was decomposed with 

 hydrochloric acid, and the silica determined in the usual manner. 

 The acid liquid filtered from the silica was treated with ammonia, 

 and the dazzling white precipitate produced quickly brought upon 

 a filter and washed. It contained the whole of the oxide of dona- 

 rium and a trace of iron ; no alumina was present. The separation 

 of the iron from the oxide of donarium might have been effected by 

 redissolving the precipitate in an alkaline carbonate ; as however 

 small quantities oi peroxide ol' iron cannot be accurately separated 

 in this manner, it was preferred to ignite the precipitate, which by 

 exposure to the air had acquired a yellowish, and gradually a red- 

 disii-yellow colour, and then, after having reduced it to a fine pow- 

 der, digesting it for some time with hydrochloric acid. In this 

 manner the iron was completely separated. The oxide of donarium 

 was collected upon a filter and washed ; but as the liquid which 

 passed long exhibited traces of hydrochloric acid, the oxide was 

 again digested wit!) a little carbonate of soda, then washed, calcined, 

 and its weight determined. The peroxide of iron was precipitated 

 from the hydrochloric acid solution by ammonia. The lime and 

 other substances contained in the ananoniacal liquid separated from 



* We have much pleasure in leurning that our highly esteemed coun- 

 tryman, Mr. Hind, has been elected Corresponding Member of the French 

 Academy in the place of the distinguished astronomer Schumiiclier. Our 

 readtTK, at the same time, will be liajjpy to learn that Prof. Wlieatstone has 

 been unuuimously elected Correspoiidnig Member of the liwyal Academy 

 of Science of Berlin.— Eds. 



