346 J. H. H. Corbin on certain compounds of 
when more extensive excavations shall have given us an oppor- 
tunity of closer inspection of the facts. As regards the sulphur 
ed, it seems strange that no such opportunity is as yet fore- 
shadowed in the near future ; although in my view, its practi- 
cal importance can hardly be over-estimated. Its development 
requires, it is true, large capital and the best of engineering re- 
sources, in view of the depth, and peculiar difficulties of drain- 
age and ventilation. But who that knows the part sulphuric 
acid plays in modern civilization, the monopoly enjoyed by Si- 
cilian sulphur, the burdens naturally and artificially imposed 
upon its production in that island, and the inferiority of the 
acid prepared from pyrites, can fail to appreciate the intrinsic 
importance of a bed of pure sulphur some 135 feet thick, lying 
at a depth less than half of that at which some coal mines- 
are profitably worked in Pennsylvania ; and within ten miles of 
ocean navigation! The very gangue of the mineral—gypsum 
—is of sufficient value in agriculture and the arts, to bear ship- 
ment for thousands of miles, within the country. Nor indeed, 
is it likely that beds of such magnitude should be confined to 
a limited area, and not be accessible at more advantageous 
locations. 
As regards the prospect of obtaining petroleum in paying 
quantities, the inconsiderable thickness of the Vicksburg rocks, 
and the obvious fact that they are traversed by valleys of de- 
nudation, are very unfavorable omens. 
e water now flows from the Company’s well at the rate of 
65 gallons per minute ; rises 12 feet above the surface. Itisa 
saturated solution of sulphuretted hydrogen, with a little gyp- 
sum and common salt. ‘This stream flows chiefly from the sur- 
face of the sulphur bed. Boring operations at this well have 
been suspended, and a company is now being formed with @ 
special view to mining the sulphur. 
Arr. XXXI—Contributions from the Laboratory of the 
Lehigh University. No. 2.—On certain compounds of Chro- 
mium with Iron ; by J . Haynes H. Corsry. 
Percy, in his work on iron and steel (p. 186), describes seve- 
ral crystalline compounds of chromium with iron prepared and 
yzed by Mr. Smith under his direction. 
stages of 44, 2707 
centages of 424, 27-07, 54-63, and 76°58, corresponding | 
formule Fe, ,€r, Fe ,€r, no and Fe€r,. The experiments 
were performed in pursuance of the investigations of Berthier, — 
