414 Scientific Intelligence. 
n the Spectra of the Alkaline Metals—Wo.r and D1acon have 
aoe ve spectra of the alkaline metals produced by very high tem- 
n 
chlorid, and heatéd to a convenient cape, The h age on 
issuing from oe tube, is mixed with oxygen and burned. Under 
circumstances, many metallic chlorids give remarkably well defined ee 
long-continuing spectra. Metallic sodium gives in this manner six well- 
defined lines between C and Fy upon a faintly colored ground, whieh, 
however, is not continuous, but exhibits two sudden variations in inten- 
sity. Potassium gives a magnificent spectrum, in which eleven lines— 
for the most part already noticed by Debray and Grandeau—are observed. 
Chlorid of lithium gives four brilliant and characteristic lines. Finally, 
the chlorids of copper and zinc Ly very well defined spectra of fee 
intensity.— Compiles Rendus, lv, 
6. Contributions to spectral fori ysis.—Borreer has published a ‘tow 
notices wy to the spectral analysis, from which we extract what is 
nD um gives, according to Béttger, between the yellow and the 
violet, a ae large number of equidistant dark lines. Native selenid of 
wareury gives the same reaction hen coal-gas, before reaching 4 
a great number of bright aed in the red and nae which, however, last 
but an instant. Fluor spar gives, in addition to the calcium lines, 
beautiful clear blue line, which, according to Bottger, is characteristic of 
fluorine. Béttger found this line in all the varieties of fluor spar as well 
as in chemically be fluorid of calcium, but not in eryolite or fluorid of 
potassium. The spectrum of cyanogen—long since observed by 
—is of extencbdiniel beauty —Journal fir Prakt. Chemie, \xxxv, ee 
. On the spectrum of Sodium.—Fizzav has made the very. plored thy 
observation that metallic sodium in a state of active combustion gives 
continuous spectrum in , the line D appears as a dark line. Potas 
d magnesium do not give continuous spectra under the 
cumstances, and Fizeau’s iogaticn at present stands entirely 
without even an attempt at i ag — Comptes Rendus, liv. cea 
[Draper’s experiments have shown that metals up to a white heat bs) 
continuous spectra. Ata hi = temperature each metal appears to ei 
a discontinuous spectrum or one marked by brilliant lines with interven” veal 
Ki 
same Cil- 
isolated, 
pein wenper rature the eo again become continuous, 
: being different for each substance 
