402 Scientific Intelligence. 
ated water, upon mineral compounds. The only results heretofore 
published on the subject, so far as we are aware, are the comparatively 
isolated experiments of Struve, Forchhammer, and Polstorf and Wieg- 
mann, as cited by Liebig in the last edition of his Agricultural Chem- 
istry.* But these. were of too restricted a scope to furnish a solid basis 
for reasoning generally on the disintegration of rocks, the formation of 
chalcedonic, zeolitic, and other minerals by solution, and the conveyance 
of inorganic materials into the structure of plants. 
slender experimental foundation rest the common theories of the de- 
composing and forming action of the meteoric waters. 
It is obviously therefore a question of the first importance to decide, 
carbonated water upon all the important oe aggregates, as well 
without as with alkaline ingredients. 
Our experiments have been of two kinds, first, by an extemporaneous 
method with the tache, and second, by prolonged digestion at the or- 
dinary temperature. | 
In the former method, a small quantity of the mineral, some five or 
ten grains, in eri fine powder is leached for a few moments on a small 
In both processes two parallel experiments are made, the one with 
pure de-aérated water, the other with water charged to saturation at 
60° with CO,. In the second process, the alkali, lime, &c., wole 
with simple water, the other with carbonated water, and exposed to 
- the solvent action for the same time and with the same agitation as 
those containing the powdered minerals, . 
The following is a list of the minerals and other substances which 
we have subjected to the analytic action of pure water and of carbonve 
water. 
see ee 
* See also a valuable memoir on the solubility of fluorid of calcium in bss 
&e., by G. Wilson, M.D., Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb,, xvi, 145, 1846; and this Jour 
4 
ta 
ii ser., ti, 114.—Eps 
