148 Scientific Intelligence. [Aug. 



weeks, deposited a considerable number of regular crystals of 

 alum. This process was tried more than once with fresh por- 

 tions of zircon, and alum crystals were constantly obtained. We 

 may conclude then that the zirconia, as obtained by Klaproth 

 and Vauquelin, was not in a state of purity ; but mixed with a 

 certain proportion of alumina. I have succeeded in separating 

 the alumina by the above-described method ; but I find it much 

 more difficult to separate the iron completely ; because almost 

 all the precipitants of oxide of iron precipitate also zirconia. 

 Concentrating the sulphate of zirconia till that salt falls down in 

 the state of a white powder, and then decomposing that powder 

 by means of an alkali, succeeds ; but not without a loss of the 

 zirconia. 



VIII. Cast-iron rendered Malleable. 



The Societe d'Encouragement in France has for more than 

 14 years offered a prize for the discovery of a method of render- 

 ing cast-iron malleable, and fit for being converted into the usual 

 kitchen utensils, such as kettles, stewpans, &c. usually made of 

 copper. On September 3, 1818, this prize was voted to 

 MM, Baradelle and Deodor, after an examination of the speci- 

 mens presented by M. Beauchet, Director of Mines, and the 

 Mayor of Loulans. The cast-iron is cast into the utensil 

 required. It is then subjected to a particular process, which 

 gives it the requisite degree of malleability. The pieces resisted 

 not only blows which fractured common cast-iron, but even falls 

 from a height of 10 feet upon the pavement. A fall of 20 or 30 

 feet upon a stone broke them. These utensils are turned on the 

 lathe, and filed as easily as tin. The fracture was steel-grained. 

 Nails and keys made of this cast-iron answered perfectly. — 

 (Bibl. Universale, March, 1819, p. 213.) 



I have little doubt that the discovery of MM. Baradelle and 

 Deodor is nothing else than that of making our soft cast-iron. 

 It has long been used for all the purposes mentioned above ; it 

 has the grain of steel, and is much less brittle than white cast- 

 iron, the kind usually made on the Continent. I have seen keys, 

 and even razors and surgeon's instruments, made at Sheffield, of 

 this cast-iron, which looked well, and sold at a very low price ; 

 but were good for nothing as cutting instruments. — T. 



IX. On an Aluminous Chalybeate Spri?ig on the Coast of Sussex. 



By Mr. Cooper. 



(To Dr. Thomson.) 

 DEAR SIR, 89, Strand, July, 1819. 



I was requested to examine a bottle of water which was 

 brought me from the coast of Sussex, between Newhaven and 

 Rottingdean ; and although the quantity I had was small (being 

 only about a wine quart), yet there was sufficient to ascertain its 

 general nature and characters, without regarding the quantities 

 of its component parts. 



