126 Scientific Intelligence. 
Alumina and glucina in proportions to form chrysoberyl, 
mass with a crystalline surface of great splendor, and scratching ea 
and even topaz. ‘The hardness was therefore that of natural chryso- 
ery ls 
Silicates infusible in furnaces, can be formed by the same process. 
The constituents of emerald gave a substance which readily scratched 
quartz, and had the form of the regular hexagon 
The author concludes that many mineral species may be formed at 
a lower temperature than that required for their fusion. G.-G. Bs 
19. Improved exciting fluid for Grove’s a by C. Dewey, (in 
a letter to Professor Silliman, dated Rochester, N, Y., Nov. 20, 1847.) 
—Since the publication on this subject in the Journal “for May last, vol. 
sure entire success. ‘The mercury = not in this — appear to 
attacked on the amalgamated 2 c. The high solvent power of 
this solution may, as you have suggested, be one adindingh The 
chief owe however is in peseechionn the nitric acid from uniting: with 
the mercury. As nitrate of soda is found in the solution, it must be 
that ao oaloleie of soda is decomposed and nitrate of soda formed by 
the action of the voltaic power, when this will not take place i in — 
ty 
The action of the battery appears more uniform by the use 
of nie glauber’s salt. No successful attempt to prevent the destruction 
of the mercury in this battery had been made until this use of t 
glauber’s salt or of alkaline sulphates. 
20. Spirit Lamp for securing extreme heats with little delay ; by 
Prof. Exen N. Horsrorp.—For glass-blowing, the oil 1 a ith the 
of a skillful ogi leaves for some purposes little to desite. It is 
however dirty, requires constant picking up, is cumbrous, and cannot 
well be transported from place to place. It demands, Fig. 1. 
Ene 
| 
er 
well be employed in the fusion of silicates. 
Plattner’s apparatus, fig. 1, which is essentially a 
Berzelius lamp with a reservoir of air, worked by bel- 
lows and discharged on the margin of the flame, 
through a scries of jet-tubes gives a strong heat. It is 
clear, but is liable to the objection of not being moveable. 
_ The lamp of Dr. Charles T. Jackson. is upon the 
same principle, having in place of the separate jets a 
continuous annular jet, in connection with a reservoir - 
en, or ; strong blast of pet gon ri from: a 
iven by the foot. 
