220 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXVIII. No. 711 



termined either by distilling or by titrating ex- 

 cess of acid. Results are almost theoretical. 

 Ohservations of Columbium : C. W. Batke and 

 E. F. Smith. 



This investigation forms an additional chapter 

 in the study of columbium -n-hich has for some 

 time been receiving attention in the laboratory 

 of the University of Pennsylvania. It shows that 

 by crystallization of columbium potassium from 

 35 per cent, hydrofluoric acid titanium may be 

 completely eliminated. A new method for the 

 preparation of columbium pentachloride passing 

 SnCL vapors over columbio oxide is described in 

 great detail. The vapor density of the eolumbid, 

 CbClj, is also determined. Numerous analyses of 

 it are also given. The atomic weight of colum- 

 bium, by decomposition of CbClj with water, was 

 determined. The value after all corrections was 

 found to be 93.5. A series of columbates of the 

 ratio 1 : 1 — E-O, Cb^Oj was prepared and minutely 

 studied. Columbates of the ratio 4 : 3 were also 

 investigated chemically and erystallographically. 

 A third series in which the ratio is 7:6, 

 7K20.6Cb»Os, was also investigated. Tlie fol- 

 lowing percolumbates were obtained : NajClOs, 

 PbjClOs, MgNaClOs.SH.O, CaKC10s.4H„0, KjClOs, 

 COsClOs. The double fluorides of columbium re- 

 ceived an exhaustive and thorough review. Per- 

 tantalates, analogous to percolumbates, were pre- 

 pared and analyzed. 



The Separation of the Alkali Metal in the Electro- 

 lytic Way: J. S. GoLDBAUJi and E. F. Smith. 

 By means of a mercury cathode and rotating 

 silver anode not only have chloride of the alkaline 

 earth and alkali metals (sodium and potassium) 

 been analyzed, but ammonium halides have been 

 successfully and quantitatively determined. The 

 decomposition values of rubidium and cesium 

 halides have been ascertained and sodium has 

 been separated from ammonium potassium ru- 

 bidium and cesium. Potassium has been sepa- 

 rated from cesium and rubidium. Rubidium 

 and cesium have been separated in this way. 

 The time for this has been greatly reduced. The 

 results have been exceedingly accurate. At pres- 

 ent lithium halides are receiving attention. 

 Specific Gravity and Valence: Akthub J. Hop- 

 kins. 



Meyer's curve of atomic volumes calls for a 

 symmetrical arrangement of the periodic system, 

 a form of which is suggested. The periodicity of 

 the curve is then shown to be due to the item 

 specific gravity alone. The curve for specific 

 volume is shown to have the same character as 



Meyer's, the characteristics of which entirely dis- 

 appear when the figures for specific volume are 

 multiplied by volume or, more exactly, by posi- 

 tion number on the periodic system suggested. 

 It is shown that the position number is more 

 important than atomic weights in calculations of 

 certain physical properties. 



A System of Qualitative Analysis for the Com- 

 mon Elements. V. Detection of the Acidic 

 Constituents: Akthub A. Noyes and Eogeb 

 D. Gale. 



In the process described by the authors all the 

 volatile acids are separated from the basic con- 

 stituents by distilling the substance with a mix- 

 ture of 10 c.cm. of 85 per cent, phosphoric acid 

 and 20 c.cm. of water. The distillate is divided 

 into two equal portions, the former being col- 

 lected in barium hydroxide solution, and the lat- 

 ter in water. The first portion contains the 

 weaker and more volatile acids, H^COs, H.SOs, 

 HjS, HON, HNO;, as well as free halogens; the 

 second portion contains the stronger or less 

 volatile acids, HCl, HBr, HI, HSCN, HP and 

 HNO3. General and special tests for these con- 

 stituents are applied separately to the two dis- 

 tillates. By adding copper and continuing the 

 distillation of the substance with the concen- 

 trated phosphoric acid, sulphates are reduced to 

 sulphurous acid, and this is collected in water 

 as a third distillate and tested for with barium 

 chloride and bromine water. Boric acid is also 

 distilled over by boiling a separate portion of the 

 substance with methyl-alcohol and sulphuric acid, 

 the alcoholic distillate being tested by the addi- 

 tion of hydrochloric acid and turmeric solution. 



Certain Organic Acids and Anhydrides as Stand- 

 ards in Alkalimetry, Acidimetry and lodimetry: 

 Isaac K. Phelps. 



The paper is a continuation and extension of 

 my paper with Hubbard on succinic acid as a 

 standard; in that paper ammonium hydroxide 

 with cochineal as an indicator was used; now I 

 show that succinic acid, or anhydride, malonic 

 acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acid or its anhydride 

 may be used with exactness with sodium hydrox- 

 ide and phenolphthalein as an indicator and that 

 these same acids and anhydrides may be used 

 also as standards in iodimetry. 



Abstracts of the following articles have not 

 been received: 



The Estimation of Chromic and Vanadic Acids 

 in the Presence of one Another: Gkaham 

 Edgar. 



