On Matters extracted from Soils by Water.—Photography. 273 
obliquely on one side, In one case of this kind, M. Jobert obtained 
good effects from the use of electricity. 
This surgeon draws a parallel between chloroform and ether. Ether 
alters the color, and the consistence of the blood; chloroform does 
neither. Either hinders often the healing of wounds, chloroform never. 
Chloroform calms the organs, and ether violently agitates them. Ether 
over-excites certain senses and certain desires, chloroform never. Ether 
produces death with difficulty ; chloroform may cause life to cease in- 
stantaneously, if the patient is not watched, or if the respiring of the 
chloroform is not properly conducted. We add that quite. recently two 
cases of death from chloroform have happened, under the eyes of phy- 
siclans. 
Composition of matters extracted from fertile soils by water.—In 
continuation of his long researches on the composition of arable soils, 
M. Verdeil, chief of the chemical works at the Agronomic Institute of 
Versailles, and M. Rissler, have recognized in the aqueous extracts of 
these soils, the constant presence of a substance like sugar; and alsoa 
large proportion of mineral substances, little soluble or even insoluble 
in water. ‘Thus in 100 parts of aqueous extract, they found 49 of or- 
ganic matter, and 54 of inorganic consisting of sulphate, carbonate and 
phosphate of lime d of iron, alumine, magnesia, all insoluble in 
s 
in the condition of an ammoniacal salt, and not in that of an organic 
Substance ; for they have collected the whole under the form of am- 
Photography.—A discussion has taken place at the Academy, be- 
ween rago, Biot and Chevreul, as to the respective rights o 
Mr. Talbot of London, and M. Niepce de St. Victor, as to the invention 
of photographic engraving on plates of steel. The processes of these 
chemists are different. M. Talbot uses for the substance impressible to 
light a mixture of gelatine and bichromate of potash, which is modifie 
and browned on the immediate contact of light, and only where the 
light acts, whilst the part covered by the object to be copied remains 
Image to be reproduced. oss. ge ? oe 
The liquid employed by Mr. Talbot for biting in on steel after his 
design, is bichlorid of platinum, and that of M. Niepce, a mixture made 
35 
Szconp Series, Vol. XVI, No. 47.—Sept. 1853. 
