28 report — 1865. 



In experiments upon the direct union of phosphorus with copper, the maximum 

 proportion of that element with which the metal would combine was found to be 

 about 12 per cent. In operating upon a large scale, the products were rarely so 

 rich in phosphorus; those most readily prepared contained from 3 to 5 per cent, of 

 that element. 



Phosphorized copper, containing not more than 0-5 per cent, of phosphorus, is 

 more fusible and flows much more readily than copper. When cast in iron moulds, 

 it contracts very considerably, and has, when cold, a very compact and uniform 

 structure. If cast in moulds of sand or loam, the phosphorized metal is always 

 open in structure. The shrinkage of the metal, when cast in chills, renders the pro- 

 duction of any but very simple castings difficult to accomplish ; but when sound 

 castings are obtained, they exhibit great superiority over gun-metal castings in 

 point of tenacity. The average " breaking weight " of gun-metal being about 

 32,000 lbs. on the square inch, that of phosphorized copper, containing 0-5 per cent, 

 of phosphorus, was found to be 38,389 lbs. ; while the strain borne, up to frac- 

 ture, by metal containing 0-75 per cent., amounted to 45,500 lbs. The phosphorized 

 metal containing from 0*3 to 0'5 per cent, of phosphorus could not be rolled or 

 worked under the hammer when heated even below redness, and required careful 

 working when cold. 



Some results of experiments on the influence exerted by the presence of iron, in 

 phosphorized copper, upon its composition and properties, were also described by 

 Mr. Abel. 



Observations on the Utilization of Sewage, as conducted at Stroud, and on the 

 Growth of the Sewage Plant. By H. Bird. 



On the Preservation of the Sheathing of Ships, and Extraction of Silver from 

 Sea- Water by means of Electricity. By J. 0. Bowring. 



On the Direction of the Electric Current. By J. C. Bowring. 



Action of Acids on Metals and Alloys. By Dr. Crace-Calveet, F.R.S. 



The author, in the name of Eichard Johnson, F.C.S., and himself, communicated 

 to the members of the Section some of the leading facts that they had observed in 

 studying the action of acids on metals and alloys. As it was impossible to attempt 

 to go into details in the short space of time allowed him to bring the subject before 

 the Meeting (for their researches extended over twelve months, and contained two 

 or three hundred experiments), he would confine his observations to the action of 

 sulphuric acid upon zinc. 



The first fact that he would bring before the notice of chemists was that, contrary 

 to the generally received opinion, sulphuric acid at the natural temperature did not 

 act upon pure zinc if the surface of the metai submitted to the action of the acid was 

 perfectly free from any trace of oxide, whilst if there was the slightest oxidation, 

 a slight action commenced, gradually increasing until in some instances it assumed 

 the appearance of ordinary zinc when acted upon by sulphuric acid, viz., a violent 

 action. 



Another curious and interesting fact is, that mono- and bi-hydrated sulphuric 

 acids, besides having no action, as stated, at the natural temperature, exercise but 

 a limited action also at a temperature of 130° C. and 150° C. ; for in the space of two 

 hours sulphuric acid dissolved on 1 metre surface, with the mono-hydrated acid, 

 respectively 125 and 38G grammes, and with the bi-hydrated acid 23G and 575 

 grammes ; whilst if, on the contrary, sulphuric acid with 3 equivalents of water was 

 employed, the increased action was really remarkable, being more than twenty times 

 as great, for the respective quantities dissolved on a metre surface were 8193 and 

 9083 grammes ; and even with sulphuric acid containing 4, 5, and G equivalents 

 of water, the actions decreased materially ; in fact the action of S0 3 + GIIO was 

 identical with that of S0 3 +2 HO, whilst the violent action was resumed with sul- 

 phuric acid containing 7 equivs. water, for at a temperature of 100° C. (the boiling- 



