A412 Scientific Intelligence. 
examination showed this coating to consist of small scales of specular 
oxyd of iron, which exhibited all the splendid tints of the beautiful 
iridescent specimens from Elba. 
The reaction which produced the specular iron, is possibly ‘he follow- 
ing: A portion of the ammoniacal salt confined in the mass, which was 
half an inch in diameter, was unable to escape before the exterior be- - 
came ignited. The heated oxyd reacted upon the chlorid of ammonium 
to form chlorid of iron and water. Both of these bodies can probably exist 
undecomposed when in contact with oxyd of iron, or at least the oxyd 
and hydrochloric acid if formed, would immediately react upon each 
other. But when they come to the suface the oxyd is deposited and the 
hydrochloric acid escapes. 
8. On the Compounds of Boracic Acid with Ether; by MM. Eset 
MAN and Bouquet, (An. Chem. et de Phys., May, 1846.)—Chloride of 
boron is prepared by passing dry chlorine over an ignited mixture of 
poracic acid and charcoal, and the product is conducted into a bottle of 
alcohol, by which it is readily absorbed. Thealcohol is kept cooled, and 
after a time separates into two layers; the upper one contains the new 
product, and the lower hydrochloric acid and water. The ethereal liquid 
is purified by distillation, till a product is obtained which boils at 246° F. 
It is a limpid fluid of a fragrant odor and burning taste. Its specific 
gravity at 60° is ‘8849. It dissolves readily in alcohol and is also solu- 
ble in water, but is almost immediately decomposed by it into boracic 
acid and alcohol. It is combustible and burns with a fine green flame 
evolying fumes of boracic acid. Analysis gives for its composition the 
formula BO,, 3C,H,O. 
9; Wile dines Brondo Ether bor ate the nscidiig acing is 
distilled from the original fluid, there remains in the retort a liquid, 
which on cooling forms a vitreous mass, having the odor of ordina- 
ry ether, but a mr bitter taste. The composition appears to be 
(BO,)?C,H,O. 
By a process similar to this, the authors have abiained compounds of 
boracic acid with the oxyds of methyle and amyle, which resemble in 
general character the borate of ethyle, and have a similar formula. 
One ae of boracic acid—=BO, combines with 3 equivalents. of 
the raeret 
nd t crystallized boracic acid B,O,,3HO, 
while the vitreous etbyl compound i is analogous to anhydrous borax 
(BO,)?Na0. 
«0. Vitiated air in-apartinenis ; (L’Institut, No. 654, Suly 15, 1846, p- 
—M. Lassaigne has shown by a series of investigations, that con- 
‘common opinion, the air in a room which has served for res- 
withe ee ies alike in every 
