190 
NA TLORE 
[JUNE 19, 1902 
(probably) into the monoxide, hydrogen being liberated, and 
when this is once achieved the following sodium ions form 
metallic sodium at the kathode. The use of two electrolytes 
with a common cation enables the sodium to be liberated in 
such a way as to escape oxidation by the fused nitrate. It is 
obvious that the only substance used up is the nitrate. Fig.1 
gives a general view of the sodium furnaces. 
The nitrogen peroxide and oxygen evolved at the anode are 
conducted by earthenware pipes to a number of Woulff’s bottles, 
connected together and containing water. 
shown in Fig. 2. 
3NO,+ H,O=2HNO,+NO. The NO takes up more oxygen 
to form NO, and more nitric acid is produced, 
acid is required, a system of absorbing towers is used. 
Sodium is now used on the large scale for making sodium 
peroxide and sodium cyanide. The peroxide is made by burning 
The arrangement is | 
The action of NO, on water is as follows:— | 
If very strong | 
Mr. Darling states that he has devised a new method of pre- 
paring cyanides in which he avoids using so much sodium in the 
metallic state. 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE. 
Oxrorp.—Considerable changes will be introduced into the 
examination for Mathematical Honours, Moderations, by a 
scheme which comes into effect in 1904. The main features of 
this scheme are (1) the legalising of the use of the infinitesimal 
calculus in answering questions on mechanics ; (2) the abolition 
of restrictions on the freedom of choice of method, analytical 
or synthetic, in the treatment of geometry ; (3) the introduction 
of the elements of analytical solid geometry. 
Fic. 2 —Apparatus for converting Nitric Oxide into Nitric Acid, 
sodium in an excess ot dry air free from CO, in an externally 
heated retort. It is a valuable oxidising and bleaching agent, 
replacing the most costly hydrogen peroxide. . 
Sodium is used in making cyanides by Erlenmeyer’s process, 
in which the metal is heated wirh potassium ferrocyanide, 
K,FeC,N,+2Na=4KCN +2NaCN + Fe. Potassium carbonate is 
usually added so as to make the percentage of CN in the 
mixture equivalent to that of pure KCN. 
Another method of using sodium in the manufacture of | 
cyanides is to make sodamide by heating the metal in ammonia 
gas, Na+NH,=NaNH.+H. The sodamide may then be 
heated with carbon, NaNH,+C=NaCN +H. or, according to 
another process, it may be made to first form a cyanamide, 
2NaNH,+C=Na,N,C+2H,. The cyanamide is then treated 
with more carbon at a higher temperature, Na,N,C+C= 
2NaCN. 
NO. 1703, VOL. 66] 
CaMBRIDGE.—The following are the speeches delivered by 
the Public Orator, Dr. Sandys, on June 10, in presenting for 
the degree of Doctor in Science Aonoris causa (1) Sir Harry 
Hamilton Johnston, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., Special Commissioner 
for the Uganda Protectorate, and (2) Dr. A. W. Ricker, 
F.R.S., Principal of the University of London :— ‘ 
“© Semper aliquid novi Africam adferre ” etiam inter antiquos 
dicebatur. In Africa nuper ab hoc viro, ne plura commemorent, 
camelopardalis speciem novam repertam esse constat. Idem 
Africae in regione septentrionali, occidentali, orientali, Africa 
etiam in media, patriae personam summa cum dignitate gessit ; 
Africae montes, flumina, lacus exploravit; exploratos et 
pingendi et scribendi arte eximia ante oculos nostros posuit. 
Quid dicam de libris illis, quorum in uno Livingstonii vitam 
| egregie narravit; in alio colonias omnes ab Europae gentibus 
in Africam deductas luculenter descripsit ; in alio denique Afrorum 
