TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 



309 



by furnishing oxalic acid and an organic base on treatment with alkali at high tem- 

 peratures. It is an exceedingly interesting fact that oxidation in alkaline solutions 

 should give oxalic acid in the case of non-nitrogenous organic bodies, and a nitro- 

 genous oxalic acid in the case of nitrogenous organic bodies. 



Physical Constants of Liquid Acetylene and Hydrochloric Acid. 

 By G. Ansdell. 



The Action of Ammoniacal Salts on Metallic Sulphides. 

 By M. De Clermont. 



10. On the Chemical Composition of a Nodule of Ozokerite found at King, 

 horn-ness. By W. Ivison Macadam, F.G.S., Sfc, Lecturer on Chemistry, 

 Edinburgh. 



The nodule to which this paper refers was discovered at Kinghorn-ness during 

 the excavations rendered necessary by the fortifications at present being raised for 

 the defence of the Firth of Forth. 



The material was enclosed in a nest or nodule, and was found at a depth of 

 15 feet from the surface of the ground and embedded 5 feet in hard trap rock. 



The rock in which the nodule was obtained was sound, no crack or fissure 

 being observable for several feet round the nest. At a point some distance below 

 the nodule the section shows a series of small veins or fissures running through 

 the rock in various directions and averaging J of an inch in breadth. The analysis 

 of this rock gave the following results calculated to percentages. 



1. On treating the pulverised sample with hydric chloride (HOI) and sub- 

 jecting the mixture to a prolonged low heat, it was found that 29"73 per cent of 

 the substance dissolved in the acid. The detailed results of the analysis of this 

 solution are as follows : — 



Per cent. 



100-00 



2. The portion insoluble in acids was then fused with a flux, and the follow- 

 ing results obtained from the after solution in acids : — 



Per cent. 

 Ferric oxide (Fe„0 3 ) . . ... 9-92 



Aluminic oxide (Ajl0 3 ) 

 Calcic oxide (CaO) 

 Magnesic oxide (MgO) 

 Silica from silicates, &c. (Si0 2 ) 



Total from fused portion 

 Soluble in acids 



536 



8-17 



5.67 



4112 



70-24 

 29-73 



1*997 



