Tatelligence and Miscellanies. 385 
30. A solid compound of cyanogen and sulphur, in definite 
proportions, has been obtaine M. Lassaigne. His pro- 
cess isto put into asmall glass balloon some crystallized cy- 
anuret of mercury in fine powder, and pour upon it half its 
weight of bichloride of sulphur. In the course of twelve or 
fifteen days, in a diffuse light, it sublimes in the neck of the 
lass, which is kept shut, and forms small crystals—white, 
transparent, or of a rhomboidal shape and highly refractive. 
These crystals when sublimed, have a strong, penetrating 
odor, exciting tears. A small fragment, placed on the 
tongue, occasions a most pungent sensation, and the spot 
which has been touched soon becomes red and painful. 
One of their characters is to produce, with the per salts of 
iron, a red color altogether similar to that produced by the 
sulpho-cyanic acid: Agreeably to the author's analysis, this 
compound is formed of four atoms of cyanogen and one 
atom of sulphur.—/dem. 
31. Citric Acid from Gooseberries—M. Tilloy, of Dijon, has 
obtained from about 6200 lbs. of gooseberries, about 47 lbs. 
of citric acid, and 48 gallons of alcohol at 20. The cost of 
the gooseberries and other materials, labor, &c. was 227 
francs; and the value of the alcohol was 91 francs. The 
balance 136 francs, brought the cost of the citric acid to 
about 3 franes per lb. whereas its value in the market is 12 
francs per lb. 
The juice of the gooseberries is fermented and distilled,— 
the materials of the still are then pressed and strained, and 
while the fluid is warm it Is saturated with chalk, and the 
citrate of lime, being well washed, pressed, and diluted with 
water so as to bring it to a clear creamy-mass, it is decom- 
posed by sulphuric acid, diluted with twice its weight of wa- 
ter, and by the aid of heat. The liquid acid thus resulting, 
is again saturated with carbonate of lime, the precipitate 
strained and well washed is again decomposed, and bein 
deprived of its color by animal charcoal is finally evaporated. 
The crystals being colored and clarified by claying as in re- 
fining sugar. They are redissolved and again crystallized. — 
Idem. 
32. Medical uses of Gold.—Preparations of this metal, as 
a substitute for those of mercury, in the treatment of ven- 
ereal diseases, were introduced, or at least, more exten- 
Vor. XVI.—No. 2 22 
