CHEMISTRY. 313 



ACETTLE. 



H. Ritter prepares the protocbloride of acetyle by acting upon glacial acetic 

 acid with perchloriile of phosphorus, the proto-bromide is obtained in the same 

 way; during its formation a quantity of oxy-bromide of phosphorus is generated, 

 which can be separated in a pure state. Gladstone's oxy-bromide was not pure. 

 It is crystalline fuses at 113°F, boils at 3S3°F, spec. grav.=2,822. 



ALCOHOL YAPOURS. 



Reinsch has observed that a spiral of copper wire fastened on to the wick of a 

 spirit lamp, remains incandescent for two or three minutes after the flame has 

 been extinguished. If a small piece of coke be placed in the spiral, the incan- 

 descence continues, and if the coke be removed the wire still continues to glow 

 having apparently acquired some peculiar property by contact with the coke. 



ALLOXANIC ACID. 



Staedeler prepares the lime salt by saturating the mother liquor from the prepara- 

 tion of alloxan with chalk, crystals are formed which may be readily separated 

 from the excess of chalk by suspension. It is advisable to use a considerable excess 

 of chalk, and to purify the crystals by solution in boiling water, &c. The acid can 

 be obtained from the lead salt. 



METHYLOTETRASULPHURIC ACID. 



By the action of fuming sulphuric acid on acetonitryle, Bucktou and Hoffmann 

 have obtained sulphacetic acid and a new body to which they have given the above 

 name. Its composition is C 2 H 4 , 4 SO 3 ; in the salts H 2 are replaced by M 3 . 



NEW METALLIC ALLOT. 



Mr. Francois Joseph Auger has invented a new alloy, which is remarkable in its 

 resemblance to gold, not changing colour by use, and being dense, malleable, 

 ductile, homogeneous, and sonorous to a marked degree. The following is his 

 process: In a crucible the patentee first melts 100 parts of good copper, to which, 

 whilst in a state of perfect fusion, he adds 17 parts of zinc, 6 parts of magnesite or 

 substance of a like nature, though possibly differing in name, 3.60 parts of ammo- 

 nia or salts of ammonia, 1.80 parts of quicklime or other calx, and nine parts of 

 crude tartar. Tin; crucible is covered, and the whole is made to come to a complete 

 state of fusion, when the metal may be be poured into moulds, or made into ingots. 

 According to the ductility or shade of colour which may be desired in the metal, 

 the proportions of the zinc and other added substances are varied. Tin may be 

 substituted for zinc if the metal is sought to be more tenacious in character. 



IMPROVED APPARATUS TOR PURIFYING AND CARBONISING GAS. 



Mr. S. Rowlands, of Birmingham, has takeu out a oatent for a new mode of 

 treating gas, consisting of a vessel or chamber, through which gas is made to pass, 

 and brought into contact with a large surface of the liquid to the action of which 

 it is intended to be subjected. In this chamber is a float of cork, or other light 

 material, having a spiral channel, which gives it a slow rotary motion. When it is 

 wishe 1 to impregnate coal gas with the vapour of naptha, the vessel is partly filled 

 with the liquid, which is kept in a state of agitation by the rotation of the float as 

 it sinks. Other i*arboi ac lOua lluids may bo employed with like elfect. 



H. C. 



