482 Scientific Intelligence. 
2°67, CO 7°82, CH, 8°05, C,H, 1°86, nitrogen 0°31=100. Com 
eek with the coals proper, ‘lignites show therefore a marked faa 
ference in their gaseous contents, approaching most nearly, how- 
ever, the cannels. But while the greater portion of the gas en- 
closed in both cannel and lignite consists of CO,, the former con- 
tains the gases and other compounds of the a ogee series and the 
latter C,H,, gases as well as oily aromatic bodies and CO. 3 ore- 
ea 146, Aug., 
2. On the eae between Insoluble Carbonates nd Soluble 
dice —Warson Situ, observing that ammonia was evolved 
on mixing ammonium oxalate and chalk or marble powder, re- 
peated the experiment with sodium oxalate, and Fess ate even in 
the cold a distinctly alkaline reaction On hea the tw ahs 
bona together and then ae the filtrate eavesoa on aad 
chloric acid. is to a series of experiments to de- 
sitive the character and extent of this reaction, and to compare 
it with that of alkali Sap ogre upon the e arthy oxalates. Re- 
garding the possible O, formed when the decomposition is 
complete as 100, a Ec carbonate treated with sodium oxalate 
gave 19°83 Na CO, in the cold and 22-90 when heated; strontium 
carbonate gave 7 ‘63 in both cases; barium carbonate. gave 4°84 
and 4°98; and lead carbonate 6°35 and 13°08. Conversely, if 100 
represent, the possible Na,CO, converted into oxalate, calcium ox- 
alate converted 16-07 in the cold and 52°34 when heated ; stron- 
tium oxalate 57°24 and 79°96; barium oxalate 73°20 and 87°96; 
me lead oxalate 81°54 and 90°61. In the cold, calcium carbonate 
is as much more acted on by sodium SENG ‘than is barium car- 
bondie as bata oxalate is by sodium carbonate more than cal- 
cium oxalate. In the case of soluble Seataten, the reaction does 
not appear to be bycrireaas materially by heat.—/. say mM. i * 
xxxli, 245, Sept., 
3. the new Me tal Da avyum.—tIn the month of Fane ees 
Sir Huinphrey Davy. To prepare it, 600 grams of the  platiaifer 
ous sand were treated by Bunsen’s metho d for the separation of 
the pl iridium, rhodium, osmium, palladium, ruthenium, 
iron and co which it contained. The mother liquors after 
its solutions pees Hp tern sulphide ives a brown precipi- 
tate in solutions of davyum chloride, whic 
rying. Potassium sulphocyanide colors this solution red, like 
