156 Scientific Intelligence. [Auc. 
mist to treat fruits by the same process; but several of them require 
. more careful management, not only than succulent plants, but even 
‘than the most delicate leaves. I think also that he ought to have 
nourished the fruits with a little water; the appearance of freshness 
which he observed in them after the experiments, might have some 
foundation if he had been experimenting with leaves which lose their 
appearance and consistence by the least drying, but it is of little 
‘value with respect to thick and fleshy fruits, which may deteriorate 
and lose weight, without giving any indication by mere inspection. 
If my remarks have shown a slight error in this single point in the 
memoir of M. Berard, it is too rich in new and well-observed facts, to 
haveits value diminished by it.—(Annales de Chimie et de Physique.) 
V. Chloride of Gold and Sodium. 
M. Figuier procures this compound in the following manner : 
Dissolve an ounce of gold in nitro-muriatic acid, evaporate the 
excess of acid, and dissolve the muriate of gold in eight times its 
weight of distilled water; to the filtered liquor add a quarter of an ounce 
of decrepitated common salt, dissolved in four times its weight of water : 
the mixed solution is to be evaporated until it weighs only four ounces. 
By cooling, very regular crystals are obtained, which have the form of 
elongated quadrangular prisms, of a fine orange-yellow colour. No 
crystals of mere common salt are obtained, which happens, if a larger 
proportion of it be employed. 
These crystals are unalterable by exposure to the air. When pow- 
dered and washed, they do not Jose their colour, which would happen 
if they were a mere mixture of chloride of sodium and chloride of gold, 
for the latter is by much the most soluble. 
This salt was found by analysis to be composed of 
Chloride of gold ....2...... aNFrws waka 69°3 
Chloride ofsodium..........5. 0.004% Repeter lel 
Waterss cirvk Se hale mde Heke sided eloe 166 
100°0 
Supposing it to be formed of one atom of chloride of gold, one atom 
of chloride of scdium, and eight atoms of water, M. Figuier states that 
its composition would be: 
Chlovide of gold: o.:\suas dative. dvieawleinn ~ 70:0 
Chloride of sodium.......... ales’ bet dehie Gites 13°4 
Water: tse acute tax archaea eae srarhte oa eeliGHe 
1000 
(Ann. de Chimie.) 
VI. Compound of Hydrogen and Tin. 
It has been observed by Prof. Kastner, that when tin is dissolved in 
moderately strong muriatic acid, the hydrogen gas extricated is com- 
bined with tin, forming stanniuretted hydrogen gas. It has a peculiar 
and penetrating odour, and when compressed into water is dissolved in 
considerable quantity; it burns with a blue light, and gives off white 
fumes of oxide of tin: when passed into a dilute solution of gold, the 
