MAUMENE. 223 



Maumene*, thereafter, precipitated by ammonium oxalate, 

 and put a layer of metallic copper after the charge. This 

 gave him 2 determinations (our Nos. 4, 5), which, however, 

 still showed a faint trace of the red fumes. Hence he started 

 with acetate, which after most careful purification was 

 precipitated by oxalic acid, giving him the purest oxalate 

 for our No. 6. 



Sebelien, as stated, does not give Nos. i, 2, 3 at all; his 

 No. i is our No. 4, and his No. 3 is our No. 6. 



We shall take all determinations, for they are all equally 

 histructir'e if we have regard to the established degree of 

 purity of the substance. 



Nos. 1-3, contaminated by a trace of nitrate, give greatest 

 analytical excesses, both high and low, averaging 16 low. 

 These determinations were considered by Maumene as 

 merely preparatory. 



He detected the error, and eliminated it, oy the improved 

 mode of preparation stated. 



The results (Nos. 4, 5) are good ; but he prepared a 

 sample still more pure and got (in No. 6) the best that this 

 method of analysis can produce. 



We see here (as well as under the acetate) how dread- 

 fully misleading are even the statements of fact in this 

 Smithsonian Publication of Clarke. His ratios are also 

 given to 4 places only. 



Indeed, even as a record of experimental data, supposed 

 to have been intelligently copied, we are forced to discard 

 this work; manifestly not even that much intelligence was 

 expended upon its preparation, to furnish a true copy of the 

 actual results, which of necessity, implies the statement of 

 the greatly varying degree of purity. 



The record, as here given by us, exhibits in the analyt- 

 ical excess, a most striking demonstration of the gradual 

 approach to the truth as purity of substance is secured, and 

 gives also an excellent testimony of the intelligence of 

 Maumene 1 in skillfully approaching perfect purity. 



The record, as given by Clarke, would condemn 

 Maumene' as analyst. We do not say that Clarke intended 



