1826.] Scietitifie Notices'— Chemistry. 30$ 



acid nor alkaline properties. Treated with sulphuric acid, and 

 heated, it soon chars, and is entirely decomposed. It is soluble 

 in ether and alcohol, and dissolves in less than twice its weight 

 of cold water. It is insoluble in spirit of turpentine. After the 

 plant had flowered, it unexpectedly ceased to afford any of this 

 substance ; so that it was necessary to postpone all further 

 experiments on it until next season, when we hope to be enabled 

 to lay a move detailed account of it before our readers. 



In the course of those experiments, it appeared that the 

 abstergent quality of the plant, which has been long observed, 

 and from which its name is derived, was solely owing to a viscid 

 gummy matter, which forms an emulsion when rubbed in con^ 

 tact with greasy particles ; and which also produces the great 

 quantity of froth which is formed on agitating the decoction. — . 

 (Dublin PhilosophicalJournal.) 



2. Phosphorescence of certain Fluids. 



The following fluids have been found by Dr. Brewster to be 

 phosphorescent when poured into a cup of heated iron. 



1. Albumen (white of an egg) diluted in water. 



2. Isinglass, solution of. 



3. The two preceding solutions mixed. 



4. The saliva. 



5. Soap and water. 



6. Solution of rhubarb. 



7. Solution of common salt. 



8. Solution of nitre. 



9. Tallow. The phosphorescence of tallow may be distinctly 

 observed when a candle is put out in a dark room. 



10. Alcohol. 

 . 11. Ether burns with a blue flame. 



12. Oil of dill seed. 



13. Oil of olives. 



14. Solution of alum, very faint. 



In making these experiments, Dr. Brewster found that alcohol 

 would not iiyfiame when poured upon a red-hot iron, while ether 

 burned with great readiness. — (Edin. Journ. of Science.) 



3. On Ilinmann's Green. 



This colour is an intimate mixture of the protoxide of cobalt 

 and the oxide of zinc, which assumes a very lively green tint, 

 after it has been heated to redness. In order to form this green 

 suddenly, as if by the eruption of a volcano, mix together two 

 parts of nitrate of zinc, and one part of the subacetate of cobalt, 

 and expose the mixture to a spirit of wine lamp, in a glass globe 

 with a short neck. This mixture soon becomes liquid, and 

 appears at first of a rose-red colour, then purple, then blue. In 

 an instant it flames, detonates, becomes dry, and assumes a 



