840 REPORT— 1898. 



The theoretical equations 



(1) MSO, + 2KCIO3 = K^SOj + MCip, and (2) MCl^Og = MCI. + 30.,, 



where M is a divalent or a polyvalent metal, scarcely hold at all. In the 

 cases, lead, silver, mercury, where it seemed most likely to hold, it certainly does 

 not ; for the dry sulphates of these metals mixed in fine powder with potassium 

 chlorate, and very gently heated — to about 120* — give oft' chlorine very briskly, 

 and the residue is a mixture of potassium sulphate and chloride, and the oxide 

 and chloride of the other metal. In the case of lead, the peroxide is formed. 



In a few cases this decomposition takes place with solutions of the salts. 

 Manganese sulphate and alkaline chlorate solution becomes brown after boiling a 

 few minutes. 



We have mixed different sulphates acd potassium chlorate in equivalent 

 quantities, and endeavoured to ascertain the relation between the oxygen and 

 chlorine evolved ; but even with careful heating the results have not been very 

 concordant. 



The sulphates of the following metals have been tried : — 



Zn, Ni, Mn, Mg, Fe, Cu, with and without crystallisation water. Ag, 

 Hg, Pb, anhydrous. Several alums both with and without water. 



It may be here not^d that many metallic chlorates decompose when their 

 solutions are evaporated, even at the ordinary temperature and under reduced 

 pressure. This is notably the case with manganese and ferric chlorates. 



The sulphates employed were carefully purified, and contained no free acid. 



SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. 

 The Section did not meet. 



MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. 



A Joint Discussion with Section A on the recent Eclipse Expeditions was 

 held. 



The following Reports and Papers were read : — 



1. Report on the Teaching of Natural Science in Elementary Schools, 



See Reports, p. 433. 



2. Juvenile Research. By Professor H. E. Armstrong, F.R.S. 



3. Green Cobaltic Compotmds. The Result of Oxidising Cohaltous Salts in 

 presence of Organic Salts of the Alkali Metals. By R. G. Durrant, 

 M.A., F.C.S. 



•) 



Hydrogen peroxide and other oxidising agents are capable of forming green 

 solutions with cobaltous salts in presence of fairly concentrated solutions of 

 potassium bicarbonate, oxalate, glycollate, acetate, citrate, malate, lactate, and 

 succinate. Potassium may be replaced by the other alkali metals, and in some 

 cases by ammonium, barium, strontium, or calcium. 



The cobalt in the green bicarbonate solutions has been shown to be present in 

 the cobaltic state by volumetric experiments involving, (a) the maximum depth 



