Chemistry and Physics. 117 
11. Ou the preparation of Hyposulphite of Soda; by M. Facer, 
(Journ. de Pharm., May, 1849.)—The salt of commerce contains more 
or less of sulphate; if prepared from bisulphite of soda and sulphur, 
the product contains a large quantity of sulphate and but little hypo- 
sulphate. The neutral sulphite should therefore be used. It is best 
prepared by the following process. 
A solution of carbonate of soda is divided into two equal portions, 
one of them is saturated with sulphurous acid to form the bisulphite, 
which is then rendered neutral by the second portion. There is pres- 
ent however, an excess of sulphuric acid, owing to the solvent action of 
the water. This is to be expelled by boiling before adding the sulphur, 
which may be added afterwards and the solution boiled without risk. 
G.C.8 
2. On the amount of Lime in Lime Water; by M. Witrstein, 
(Buchner’s Report in Chem. Gaz.)—Of cold water, 732 parts dissolve 
1 part of anhydrous lime. The solution in boiling water gave uncer- 
tain results—1311, 1495 and 1579 parts of boiling water dissolving 1 
ime. 
asparagine in solution ferments and furnishes succinate of ammonia. 
(See this Journal, vol. vi, p. 421.) Now asparagine is simply the amid 
periment. Neutral malate of lime was exposed under water for about 
3 minutes—at the end of which time besides carbonate of lime, muci- 
laginous matter, &c., there was obtained a crop of crystals which afford- 
ed succinic acid. Liebig has fouud that a fermentation got up with 
yeast or putrefying cheese, produces the same result in a far shorter 
The following proportions are recommended,—3 pounds crude 
malate of lime are mixed wit bs. water at 104° and 4 oz. putrid 
cheese previously rubbed up with water. At 86° to 104° the fermenta- 
tion is over in five or six days. The heavy granular crystalline deposit 
formed, is a double salt of succinate and carbonate of lime. This is to 
be well washed with cold water, and dilute sulphuric acid added until 
effervescence ceases: an eq 
added and the whole boiled until the granular form of the deposit 
M 
experiments were undertaken with direct relation to those of Piria 
Which are much older, as shown by the above reference to the pages 
of this Journal. ] 6.c.s. 
