Polytechnic Association Proceedings. 74f, 



BnSSOUEI TIN. 



Dr. T. R. Goulcliug, of St. Louis, has been experimenting with 

 the tin ores of Missouri, for the purpose of determining the best 

 process of reducing them. On the 18th ult., he produced the first 

 pig of pure tin ever made in America. Its weight was eight per 

 cent of the weight of the ore used in its manufacture. 



PREPARATION OF TARTARIC ACID. 



Messrs. Juette and Ponteves, of France, have prepared tartaric 

 acid from the pressed grape skin, Avhich is a waste product in the 

 manufacture of wine and brandy. After treating the skins with 

 water and obtaining lees, two per cent of sulphuric acid is added, 

 and the mixture is boiled until the tartaric acid in combination is 

 set at liberty. The action of the acid on the cellulose of the pulp 

 forms a small quantity of glucose. The liquor, after fermentation, 

 is treated with a solution of lime and the tartrate of lime is formed, 

 which, on being subjected to concentrated sulphuric acid, yields 

 sulphate of lime and free tartaric acid. 



CROUP CURED RT SULPHUR. 



The Medical Gazette of Paris, states that M. Langanterie, of 

 Pai-is, after observing the effect of sulphur on the oidium of grape 

 vines, was led to administer it in several cases of croup. He mixes a 

 teaspoouful of sulphur in a glass of water, and gives a teaspoonful 

 of this mixture every hour. The effect is described as wonderful. 

 The disease is cured in two days, the only symptom remaining 

 being a cough arising from the presence of loose pieces of false 

 membrane in the trachea. M. Langanterie says he has followed 

 this plan in seven cases, all being severe, especially the last, in 

 which the child was cyanotic, with protruded rolling eyes aiad 

 noisy respiration. 



AMALGAMATION OF GOLD. 



The London Mining Journal states that cyanide of potassium 

 has been found to answer the same purpose as sodium in combina- 

 tion with mercury for the purpose of extracting gold. Mr. Wurtz, 

 of New York, first made use of sodium amalgam, with which very 

 good results have been obtained in our gold-bearing districts. It 

 is now claimed that cyanide of potassium has been successfully 

 used on copper plates and in the pans. The surface of the plates, 

 after being cleaned with sand and nitric acid, and well washed in 

 cold water, are covered with the cyanide solution,* the mercury is 



