286 Scientific Intelligence. 
and found that even from quantities of the fresh root, so large as 40 lbs., 
no mannite could be extracted, if the expressed juice were prevented 
from fermenting; whilst, if fermentation were permitted, the same 
weight of roots yielded a large quantity of mannite, which appears * 
be derived from the sugar, inulin, &e., of the dandelion, which wa 
converted into mannite, gum, and lactic aci $ 
t rs. Smith stated, in conclusion, that they had not been able 
to confirm’ ihe statement of Polex: that the dandelion contains a bitter 
erystallizable substance, such as he had described under the name of 
taraxacine 
* Il. MineraLocy anp GEOLOGY. ~ 
1. On Danburite ; a J. D. Dana.—The species Danburite, from 
Danbury, Conn., has recently been fotind, through the explorations of 
Mr. G. J. Brush, in crystallized specimens, which ave afforded the 
following eryillograpic and chemical characte 
Triclinic; P:M=110° and 70°; M: raved ae 
and 126°; P: T=93° nearly; P: e=135°. Cleav- f 
age distinct parallel to M and P, less so parallel 
to T. Crystals imbedded in feldspar, associated 
with dolomite, and often an inch ac Occurs 
also ores massive without eptia form. 
=7—7°5, G.=2-95, Silliman, Jr.; 2-97, pone 
Color pale valine or whitish. Lustre vitre 
Translucent to subtranslucent. Exceedingly “hiltile: The mineral 
resembles chondrodite somewhat, but differs in form and in its distinct 
pai as well as chemical characters. 
hem 
by Mr. 
H. Erni, in the Yale Laboratory, New Haven. Before the tisk pipe 
it fuses rather easily, and in the dark it is seen to give the flame a 
green color, especially afier mate heated the mineral with sulphuric 
acid. With bisulphate of soda and fluor spar the green color (a color 
due to boracic acid) is as distinct and strong as with borax. With bo- 
rax or soda, a transparent glassy globule is easily obtained. The 
amount of the mineral under examination was so small that the bone 
acid could be estimated only from the loss. Mr. Erni obtained— ~ 
Ts It. Oxygen ratio for I. 
Silica, 49-74 49-71 584 12 
~ me, 22:80 22°38 48 
agnesia, 1:98 1:30 0-78 
da, 9-82 ia j png 1059, 
cal 4°31 UT 6 0-73 
_ Perox. iron and : : 
Mawhe: port 1-65 
Boracic acid (loss), 9°24 ‘ 6°35 Boy 
100 00 , 
The ratio gives the formula RB+448 Si, The alumina is probably due 
to some feldspar, whee | is often detected penetrating the crystals. 
