TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 465 
the fungi, with the important difference that they contain no poisonous species, 
- For manure the alge, containing 80 per cent. of moisture, are of little value as 
against artificial manures. The manufacture of kelp, or seaweed ash, is gradually 
dying out; it is only now one of the sources of iodine, and it never really utilised 
the seaweed. The commoner species, named in the order in which they grow, are 
the Fucus vesiculosus, F. nodosus, F. serratus, Lanunaria stenophylla, and L. 
digitata. These all contain the new substance. It can often be seen in the long 
fronds of the Laminaria as a sac of glairy fluid, which, when evaporated, yields a 
kind of vegetable albumen called algin. This substance has some characteristic 
properties; it is instantly coagulated by mineral acids, even a 2 per cent. solution 
becoming semi-solid. Acetic acid does not affect it. Lime-water and the salts of 
the alkaline earths, with the exception of magnesium, also coagulate it. Boracic 
acid does not affect it. It is precipitated by alcohol. Metallic salts generally pre- 
cipitate it, but mercury bichloride has no effect. It differs from albumen in not 
coagulating on heating. 
It contains nitrogen, but no sulphur. It is insoluble in water, and requires 
about 20 per cent. of sodium carbonate for its solution. 
The method adopted for treating the seaweed is as follows. The seaweeds are 
first macerated in cold water, which removes about a third of the weight. The 
residue is bleached by a weak solution of chlorinated lime, acidulated with hydro- 
chloric acid. It is then acted on in the cold with about a tenth of its weight of 
sodium carbonate, heated, filtered, and evaporated. The residue in the filter is 
cellulose, pretty pure, and ready at once for making paper. 
The salts from the water solution vary according to the plant; an average: 
sample from Laminaria is appended :— 
Calcium sulphate . - ; - 1:69 
Potassium sulphate . : : 2 LE 
Potassium chloride . ; ‘ Se O0) 
Sodium chloride . : . 60:96 
Magnesium chloride ‘ : : 4:35 
Sodium carbonate . ; : ‘ Dd 
Sodium iodide , ; ; j Z 1:26 
99-98 
The whole of the salts are thus obtained, and in addition some saccharine matter 
resembling mannite. 
Applications —The algin, which can be obtained in large quantity, has been 
applied as a stiffener of fabrics, replacing starch, than which it is tougher and more 
transparent. It forms an excellent mordant in dyeing, being easily rendered in- 
soluble, It is an efficient ‘boiler fluid’ for precipitating the lime salts and pre- 
venting incrustation. In the insoluble form it much resembles horn and bone, and 
can be employed to replace those substances. It possesses great agglutinating 
power, and will convert sand, plumbago, chalk, and such difficult substances, into 
solid hard blocks. Under the form of ‘carbon cement’ it has been largely used 
for covering steam boilers as a non-conductor of heat, the cement consisting of 
charcoal containing about 3 per cent. of algin; the charcoal employed is from sea- 
weed, so that the whole coating is made from that material. 
It is a good non-conductor of electricity, and an efficient agent for emulsifying 
' oils and for fining wines and spirits. By the process indicated the whole plant is 
utilised for the first time. The importance of the new industry to the Highlands 
and the West of Ireland can scarcely be overrated. 
7. Methods for Coking Coal and recovering the Bye-products.' 
By Watson Suira, F.C.8., F.C. 
There are various forms of plant for coking coal, for the production of coke for 
metallurgical purposes, which may be classed as follows :— 
1 Printed in extenso, Iron, Oct. 5, 1883, p. 310; Jowrnal of Gas Lighting, Oct. 
30, 1883, p. 742; Chem. News, Oct. 19, 1883, p. 185. 
1883. HH 
