Chemistry. All 
If we add the oil of garlic to an alcoholic solution of nitrate of silver, 
we first obtain sulphuret of silver, followed by a crystalline precipi- 
tate. If we dissolve this last by boiling, and filter the hot solution, we 
obtain on cooling, beautiful white prismatic crystals of the compound of 
hitrate of the oxyd of allyle and silver, AgO, AllO, N05, Ammonia 
decomposes this, and liberates pure oxyd of allyle. 
When we distill oil of mustard with one of the higher sulphurets of 
potassium, we obtain a crystalline compound which is probably a higher 
sulphuret of allyle. It has a powerful odor of assafetida, and is probably 
identical with the sulphuret observed in the oil of that substance. The 
roots of Alliaria officinalis yield a volatile oil, identical with that of 
mustard. ‘These results are interesting as developing a new and beau- 
tiful relation between a number of organic substances. They show 
the simplicity which nature exhibits in all her operations, deriving a 
number of complex and apparently distinct bodies from a single radi- 
eal, by combinations which we are able to imitate in our laborato- 
fies. These discoveries are a beautiful illustration of the doctrine of 
compound radicals. Although we have not as yet been able to isolate 
allyle, yet we can form all its combinations, and transfer it from one 
union to another, so as to afford the most satisfactory evidence of its 
existence. : 
6. On the Acid of the Bark of Viburnum opulus ; (Chem, Gazette, 
No. 77, p. 9.)—L. von Monroe has shown that this acid, which was sup- 
Posed to be identical with that obtained from the fat of the dolphin and 
named phocenic acid, is really valerianic acid. This confirms the 
Tesults originally obtained by Dumas. 
_ 1. On the Artificial formation of Specular Iron; by T. 8. Hunt.— 
The following. is perhaps worth recording, as it beautifully confirms 
Mitscherlich’s theory of the formation of this oxyd in volcanic products. 
I Precipitated a concentrated solution of perchloride of iron by caustic 
ammonia, threw the thick magma upon a filter where it was allowed to 
drain until it became solid, This was then partially dried ata gentle heat, 
when it cracked into small angular fragments. ‘These consisted of hydra- 
ted peroxyd of iron mechanically mixed witha large quantity of whine 
Ee rid of ammonium. On heating this in a-platinam crucible, to. ar 
one 500°, the vapors of water and the ammoniacal salt were abundantly dis- 
€ngaged, and the mass became inflated and porous.» The residue how- 
 €ver was not pure oxyd of iron, for on heating it to bright redness, 
fumes of chlorid of iron were evolved, accompanied by hy drochloric 
Seid, and an abundant deposit of dark red-brown oxyd of iron coated 
‘the side of the crucible. On cooling, the oxyd was found coated with 
@ brilliant. iridescence, which was still, more beautifully seen in the 
Small cavities disclosed on breaking the porous mass. — A microscopie 
Rat a 
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