4 = Miscellanies. 209 
by heat in a glass tube away from contact with atmospheric air, and to have 
obtained asa result nitrogen, and a body possessing all the kein proper- 
ties of szlicic acid, (silex.) - He attempts to prove that the silex could not 
be derived from the tube or crucible in which the experiments were per- 
formed, both on account of the quantity produced, the difficulty of con- 
ceiving of any act of substitution by which the silicon could be brought 
‘out of the glass or porcelain, and the fact that as nearly as could be as- 
certained no loss of weight was suffered by the containing vessel 
Dr. Brown’s paper is in great detail, occupying about twenty pages of 
the Transactions of the Royal Society. ‘‘ Dr. Christison,” says our cor- 
respondent, “ who read the paper, (the author not being a member of the 
Society,) added that he had seen the experiments performed, had studied 
every objection, and had exhausted his ingenuity in endeavoring to detect 
sources of fallacy, but without SUCCESS ; if there is error, it is unknown 
not renounce his faith in Dr. Brown until opposite results are obtained by 
more than one chemist equally skillful in manipulation, and equally pa- 
tient and truth-loving in spirit: The Society unanimously thanked the 
author, and admitted his paper into their Transactions.” 
The present communication consists of five parts. The first treats of 
the production of silicon’ from paracyanogen ; the second of the forma- 
tion of amorphous mixed compounds of silicon with copper, iron, and 
platinum, by the reaction of paracyanogen on | e metals; the third of 
the eee of nitrogen separated from paracyanogen when it is changed 
into nitrogen and silicon; the fourth cofitainis processes for the prepara- 
tion of amorphous, semi-crystalline, and crystalline disiliciurets of iron 
from. the paracyanide of iron and the ferrocyanide of potassium ; and 
the fifth gives an easy process for the preparation of silicic acid on any 
scale of operation, by the reaction of the ferrocyanide of pee, on 
the carbonate of potassa. 
We hope in our next to find space to publish this extraordinary com- 
munication entire, and it will then be in the power of all interested to 
verify or annul the author’s results.—B. S. Jr. 
19. Artesian Boring at Paris. ais} years ago, near the Bente de 
Grenelle, ones of thet aris, a boring was begun to obtain wa- 
following facts, recently communicated by a friend in Paris. The water 
was at last obtained below the chalk, at the depth of nearly eighteen hun- 
bi es The torrent of water, about three cubic yards per minute, 
a copious fountain in, the grounds of an abattoir, (slaughter-house,) 
a x11, No. 1. Brenan 1841. 
a 
