346 Prof. J. W. Mallet on Nitride of Zirconium. 
Art, XXXVI.—On Mitride of Zirconium; by J. W. MALLET, 
Prof. Chemistry in the University of Alabama. 
(Read before the Amer. Assoc. for the Ady. of Science, August, 1859.) 
Awmone the most interesting facts brought to light by the re- 
cent researches of Woéhler and Deville upon silicon and the 
allied elements is that of the strong affinity of these bodies, when 
free, for nitrogen. Several of the nitrides which result from this 
affinity have been described—as those of boron, silicon, titani- 
um, and tantalum. I have now to add to the list nzéride of zir- 
conium. 
This substance was obtained under the following circumstan- 
ces. The ease with which silicon and boron may be crystallized 
by exposing the elements in the amorphous state to a very hig 
temperature, in contact with aluminum, which when fused seems 
to act the part of a solvent, led very obviously to the expecta- 
tion that other related elements might also be obtained im crys- 
is process. Titanium and zirconium suggested them- 
selves as ge worthy of experiment in this direction. With 
the bare notice* that Deville, by heating alu- 
Wohler have indeed stated at a beginning of a tet on nitride 
of titanium that this substance was first notice 
A 
pared by heating the potassio-fluorids with sodium in an atmos 
hangs hydrogen, and it then remained to be seen whether the 
me 
small blast furnace capable of melting platinum. 
% 
Sarin of amorphous zirconium and titanium was pre 
i ade i 
gs Ri bate i 
Sia 2 
See tee 
ling, the crucible was removed from the farnace, 
coo. 
and was found to be slightly cracked. This no doubt 
_® Paris correspondence in Amer. Jour. Sci., May, 1856, p. 404. 
+ Ann. d. Chem. u. Pharm., August, 1857, 8.230. 
at the beginning of the experiment, and was caused by the too 
