Chemistry and Physics. 411 
SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 
I. CHEMISTRY AND PHysiIcs. 
1. On the Action of a solutions on Lead.—Mutr has ex- 
amined the action exe by various saline solutions upon lead, 
with and without access of air, with a view to explain the mech- 
anism of the process. e lead used was sold as pure, and con- 
ER 10} : 
Pb(OH), or Pb SO’, in fine silky scales. It was found to 
Pb 
be more soluble in ammonium nitrate when air was excluded (one 
part in 4,600), and in calcium chloride with access - air (one part 
in 26,000), though its solubility was very great in carbonic acid 
phased (one part in 4,300). e author believes that i in the action 
of saline solutions upon lead, a soluble salt is first produced; that 
earbon dioxide is slowly absorbed from the air, converting the 
lead into hydrocarbonate, which is mostly precipitated ; that in 
certain Sigids the formation of the soluble salt proceeds at first 
more rapidly than its ne TCE but that later the latter action 
preponderates; and that carbonates precipitate the lead ge as 
fast as it is formed, in the vate of hydrocarbonate.—v, — 
XXxxi, 66v, pnt 1877. 
2. New Method for the Synthesis of Hydrocarbons. ia Ragen 
and Gearen in examining the action of finely divided aluminum 
upon organic chlorides, which is at first very slow, but becomes 
re ‘fou i 
remaining itself unaltered. If, for example, amy 
treated with the anhydrous chloride, hydrochloric acid gas is 
