f 



Miscellanies. 201 



I 



in the same manner. The instruction v/i]l be conducted by the pro- 

 fessors and assistants of the schcolj and will consist of lectures and 

 examinations On the following subjects; vi^. j\Iineralogy, Geology,* 

 Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Experimental Philosophy and Practical 

 Mathematics, particularly Land Surveying, Harbor Surveying and 

 Engineering. Applications \vill be made, by direct inspection of 

 rocks and minerals in place, plants and minute animals in their native 

 locahties, the works of the engineer in actual operation, tlie labors of 

 the agriculturist, he. One of the largest boats belonging to the flo- 

 tilla is to be furnished with a suitable chemical and philosophical ap- 

 paratus, and cabinets in mineralogy and geology; a reading room, 

 also, IS intended to contain such scientific books as are deemed re- 

 quisite for the course. Students of the course will be taught the 

 method of procuring specimens in natural history, and required to 

 make collections of whatever is interesting upon the route. 



16. Production of Hydro-cyanic {Prussic) acidj under uncommon 

 circumstances. — A. A. Hayes. — Wishing to decompose some nitric 

 acid containing about one third its weight of dry acid, it was subjected 

 to distillation, with one third of its weight of raw sugar ; tlm distilla- 

 tion was attended by the production of vapors of niti^ous and hypo- 

 nitrous acids, as is usual in the deeomposition of nitric acid. The 

 fluid in the receiver was shghtly acid ; it was therefore returned to 



r 



the retort, .still containing tlie residue of the first operation, and 

 gentle heat applied ; the strong and peculiar odor of hydro-cyanic 

 acid was developed, in such a quantity, as to render die atmosphere of 

 a small room irrespirablc. After cooling the apparatus and decant- 

 ing the distilled fluid, a few^ drops of ammonia were added, and tliQ 

 alkaline fluid, mixed with a solution of proto-sulphate of iron, and a 

 few drops of acid, deposited a bulky precipitate, which, on exposure, 

 became of a fine blue color. 



Eoxburj^ Laboratory, March 16, 1S30, 



i 



17. Dr. Morton's ;pa per. — ^The conclusion of Dr. Morton's Sy- 

 nopsis of the Organic Remains of the sand formation, would have 

 appeared in this number, had not the arrival of the jMS and drawings, 

 wliich were finished in season, been accidentally delayed : tliey will 

 appear in the July number. 



* Prof. Eatou has leceatly puLlisIied improved editions of his chemical ?nd gCQ' 

 logical text books. 



Vol. XVIII.— No. 1. %^ 



