130 - Scientific Intelligence. 
angular tables; M: T=110°, according to a measurement by M. Amici. 
1s < ‘ 
B 68-556 N H40 12-784 H 18°325 
The formula deduced is NH10B4+4411. It dissolves in hot water, and 
is transformed into a new crystallized salt, which is represented by the 
formula NH40B6-LoFr. : 
On Melan- Asphalt; by C. M. Werueritt, (Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., 
x, 353.)—This mineral is the same that has been pronounced bitumin- 
ous coal by other investigators. It is from the Albert coal mine, New 
Brunswick. Some of the reasons for considering it coal are cited in 
this Journal, vol. xiii, 277. Dr. Wetherill states that E. Durand of 
Philadelphia, obtained for the solubility of the asphaltum of Cuba 34 
parts in ether, and 60 parts in oil of turpentine, with 6 residue ; and of 
the Hillsborough material, 4 parts in ether, and 30 in turpentine, with 
36 of residue. Cannel coal gives no solution with turpentine. 
Analyses, afforded— 
Carbon. H O,N 
1. Asphaltum of Cuba, 82-670 9-141 8-189=—100 
1. Melan-asphalt, 86°123 9-871 4:906— 100 
Dr. Wetherill calculates the formula C&8]420N, from the latter anal- 
ysis. The Hillsborough product is stated to be unlike coal in becoming 
electric by friction. [It may be questioned whether this substance can 
be considered a simple chemical compound. It is more probable from 
the trials with solvents and other tests that there is a very large excess 
of carbon, as impurity. ] 
is from the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phil- 
adelphia. Dr. Genth writes us that his investigations were independ- 
ent of those of Professor J. Lawrence Smith. 
* I have just completed the experiments with your thalia, and have 
come to the conclusion that it is nothing but magnesia. Magnesia shows 
sometimes such a strange behavior with reagents, that one is inclined 
to think ita new earth. I had the same ease with my analyses of Kaém- 
merite (Rhodophyllite.) It is possible that the relations which exist in 
the mineral had not been destroyed, and that you have a solution of the 
mineral,—for instance, a solution of aluminate of magnesia. | separated 
n 
lents of water crystallized right rhombic, and had the form, appearance, 
taste, and gave all the reactions of epsom salt. It gave me 50'8 per 
cent. of water, 35°5 per cent. of sul phuric acid, which also proves that I 
