202 Scientific Intelligence. 
SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE: 
I. CHEMISTRY AND PuHysiIcs. 
1. On the existence and Phe teenga of Salts of Nitrous Oxide 
—The reduction of an alkaline nitrate to nitrite means 
of sodium was observed by Schdnbein, but the further action of 
the metal upon the nitrite itself has not hitherto been studied. 
Drvers finds that an amalgam of sodium reduces the nitrite to 4 
salt of nitrous oxide, the —— stages of the reaction being 
mamta by the eeasiny 
©, 4+Na,—Na N6,+Na,9, 
Na Ne! +Na,=Na NO +Na, e, 
So that four atoms of sodium are required for the reduction of one 
molecule of the nitrate. The reduction of the nitrite is accom 
panied by the evolution of pure nitrous oxide, and the author 
explains this by the mutual ee of two molecules of the new 
salt according 2 s equatio 
NO4Na NO=N 20+Na,0. 
After jek a by acetic acid, the alkaline liquid gives 4 
ellow pulverulent precipitate with argentic nitrate. This pr 
cipitate has the formula, AgN©: it is almost as insoluble 
la iat anit 
cipitate the.salt unchanged. It is instantly oxi dized by concelr 
trated nitric acid, with production of — red fumes. a 3 
ble chlorides and sulphuric acid also decompose it. When heatel 
to redness, pure silver finally remains, ite oxide, metallic ee 
and a little argentic nitrate being at first formed. When Z 
alkaline liquid containing the sodic salt is neutralized with dilu 
nitric acid, it gives precipitates with various other —— salts. 
The author promises a farther hing ee of this very OH, 
ing subject, and meantime purposes to call the new si oN hé 
either hypo-nitrous or hydro-nitroxylie acid.— Proc. R al Soci : 
ms p. 425. _ 
On a remarkable group of Mercurial Colloids Ne 
sok on of mercuric chloride upon an alkaline solution a acetonty 
and submission of the mixture to dialysis, ReyNoips h ral 
a ene of mercuric oxide with acetone, having the "fo 
dissolve the salt without immediate ian deny alkalies pre | 
ihe eat ea 
tial colloid or gelatinous ' character. A solution of the acetom® 
ers containing five ~~ cent., remains fluid, if pure 
twelve th 
