August 23, 1907] 



SCIENCE 



243 



The Optical Rotation of Spirits of Turpen- 

 tine: Chas. H:. Heety, University of 

 North Carolina. 



In collaboration with the U. S. Forest 

 Service the alio-resins from individual 

 trees of the species Finns paliistris (long 

 leaf) and Pinus heterophylla (Cuban) 

 have been studied throughout a full season. 

 The optical rotation of the several volatile 

 oils shows wide divergence among trees of 

 the same species. In the case of P. paliis- 

 tris the oils are generally dextro-rotatory, 

 though one was found to be Itevo-rotatory. 

 The oils from P. heterophylla were fouml 

 to be leevo-rotatory, though varying widely 

 among the individual trees of this species. 

 In every case, however, the rotation was 

 found to be practically constant throughout 

 the year. 



The Volatile Oil of Pinus Serotina: Chas. 



H. Hertt, University of North Carolina. 



This oil, obtained by distillation of the 

 alco-resin of the pond pine, is shown to 

 consist chiefly of Isevo-limonene. Its phys- 

 ical constants are given and the tetra-iodo 

 addition product of the limonene prepared. 



The Estimation of Carbon in Iron and 

 Steel: B. P. Moore and J. W. Bain, Uni- 

 versity of Toronto. 



During the solution of iron and steel in 

 acidified potassium cupric chloride, it has 

 been suspected that there is an escape of 

 volatile hydrocarbons. The evidence has 

 been based upon indirect methods of an- 

 alysis; and by arranging for the direct 

 estimation of any evolved hydrocarbons, it 

 has been found that there is a constant 

 loss during the operation, of such slight 

 magnitude, however, as to be negligible for 

 ordinary analytical purposes. 

 The Examination of Linoleum: Percy H. 

 Walker and E. W. Boughton. 

 Chemical tests as to quality of linoleum 

 are of little value. The loss by abrasion 



is of value, though when taken alone it 

 may lead to wrong conclusions ; if, however, 

 the appearance of the samples before and 

 after abrasion is taken into consideration 

 this test becomes probably the best avail- 

 able. 

 Canadimi Shales and Products: Charles 



Baskerville and W. A. Hamob. 

 Ultramarine and Pyrophyllite: Charles 



Baskerville. Reported by title. 



The Constants and, Variables of the Parr 

 Calorimeter: S. W. Pare. 



Pure Coal and the Deterioration of Coal 

 Samples: S. W. Parr and W. P. 

 Wheeler. Reported by title. 



Determination of Benzene in Illumiimting 

 Gas: L. M. Dennis and Ellen S. Mc- 

 Cabthy. Reported by title. 



A Furnace for Ceramic Use: Feed Bon- 

 net, Jr. 



A down-draught furnace built on the 

 regenerative principle. The construction 

 is of three circular seggars one inch thick, 

 the inner one being eight inches in di- 

 ameter. A temperature of 1,400° C. can 

 be obtained in an eight-hour run. 



inorganic chemistry 

 C. L. Parsons, chairman 

 Sodium Alum: W. R. Smith. 



A resume of the conflicting statements in 

 chemical literature regarding sodium alum, 

 and descriptions of experiments showing 

 that this alum exists below 33 degrees, but 

 that it does not exist above that tempera- 

 ture; also results on new data for solu- 

 bility, preparation, etc. 

 On the Non-existence of Clarke and Keb- 

 ler's Cadmium Iodide: J. F. Snell, Uni- 

 versity of Cincinnati. 

 Crystallization of cadmium iodide from 

 hydriodic acid, decolorized by cadmium, re- 

 sulted in formation of products of low 



