On the Origin of the Nitrites, &c. 409 
the first, which flash but for a moment; close upon the green side"of 
the soda line is a group of four lines, three quite strong and one faint; 
further on in the green is another group of three lines, and finally the 
violet line 8 is double, about as widely separated as A. e 
measured the places of these lines, but will send you the results when 
obtained. The orange strontium column is beautifully resolved into 
close and fine lines. am very truly yours, 
Lewis M. Rurnerrvrp., 
Il. On the origin of the nitrites, &c., in a letter to the Editors from Prof, 
Gzo. C. Scuazrrer, dated Washington, D. C., March 18th, 1863. 
Gentl 
letter from T, Sterry Hunt, F.R.S., on the theory of nitrification depend- 
the reproduction, from the “Z. #.and D. Philos. Magazine, for January, 
On the n 
theory of Nitrification,” read by Mr. H. “ before the French Academy of 
Sciences, on the 15th of last September.” 
Mr. Hunt also says, “ My object is to claim for myself the new theory 
of nitrification, which Schénbein seeks to found upon his recent experi- 
ments, and which I published nearly two years since.” 
umble worker in the cause of science, I would also ask permis- 
sion to contribute my mite to the history of this subject. 
In the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 
1861, there is (p. 305) a Report on Nitrification presented to the Smith- 
sonian Institution in 1858 [1856] by Dr. B. F. Craig, in which the fol- 
lowing passage occurs : ; 
“Viewing the subject by the aid of such lights as science affords, the 
_ Concerning the combination of oxygen and nitrogen, is that propounded 
__ by Dr. G. C. Schaeffer, which is based upon that general chemical action 
by which various bodies assume the elements of water in such a way as 
to produce salts of ammonia. This action takes place very commonly 
" Since this letter was written, the following note has been furnished by Dr, 
: “March 29th, 1868. 
“The date appended to m per on Nitrification, which was published in the 
Smithsonian Report for 1861, is 2 mieprint. The real date on fearon ipt i 
1856. I did not » which will account for the occur-_ 
B. F. Craic.” 
_ fence of this and a few other typographical errors. 
