1824.] Scientific Intelligence. 235 



II. Uranite of Autun. 



M. Laugier has submitted the uranite of Autun to a fresh examina- 

 tion ; the results are : 



Water 21-0 



Oxide of uranium 550 



Phosphoric acid 14v5 



Lime 4?"6 



Oxide of iron and silica 3'0 



Traces of manganese and tin. 



98-1 



From this analysis M. Laugier draws the following conclusions : 



1st, That the uranite of Autun, hitherto considered either as an 

 oxide of uranium, or as a compound of the oxide of lime, is a true 

 phosphate of uranium. 



2dly, That the lime in this mineral, is for the most part, in an un- 

 combined state. 



3dly, That phosphate of uranium is entirely soluble in carbonate of 

 ammonia, from which it is totally precipitated by ebullition. — 

 (Annales de Chimie et de Physique, vol. xxiv. p. 247. Nov. 1823.) 



The existence of phosphoric acid in the ore of uranium was an- 

 nounced by me, in the Annals for December 1822. I then supposed, 

 though erroneously, that the fact was new, but it had been entirely 

 overlooked. In the Annals for January 1823 (p. 61), I stated, precisely 

 the same opinion of the real nature of the uranite of Autun, as 

 M. Laugier has announced, that it is " essentially composed of phos- 

 phate of uranium." 



M. Laugier fairly acknowledges that he had heard of the fact of 

 the phosphoric acid having been noticed in England, but only since 

 the reading of this paper on the 15th of September last. — Edit. 



III. Phosphorescence of Acetate of Lime. 



(To the Editor of the Annals of Philosophy.) 

 SIR, Jan. 14, 1824. 



Not being aware that the phosphorescence of this salt has been 

 noticed by any chemical writer, I have taken the liberty to forward 

 you the observations I have made on its peculiar properties in this 

 respect. Dissolve any quantity of acetate of lime in water, and 

 place it on a sand heat, in a wedgwood ware dish, evaporate to dry- 

 ness without disturbing it. When quite dry, let the bulb of a ther- 

 mometer be rested on the bottom of the dish, and when the tempera- 

 ture has attained the 250th of Faht. the lime will be found to adhere 

 very firmly. If light be now excluded, and the acetate strongly 

 rubbed with a stiff spatula, it will become highly luminous. The high 

 temperature required for producing this appearance is peculiar to this 

 substance and filiate of lime. 1 am, Sir, 



Your obedient servant, Nicholas Mjlls. 



