Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 237 



sulphurous acid, this in turn being converted into sulphuric acid by 

 the further action of the ozone. The absorption of moisture from 

 the atmosphere by the sulphuric acid produces the dew-like deposits 

 observed. 



The deleterious effect upon the insulators can be remedied by 

 neutralizing the acid with some substance which will not form a 

 hygroscopic compound or essentially lessen the insulating power of 

 the ebonite. I have used oxide and carbonate of magnesium with 

 very good effect. A little of either of these substances in fine pow- 

 der is sprinkled upon a soft cloth or piece of chamois leather and 

 rubbed over the insulators. The excess is removed with a wet cloth, 

 and the surface, after drying, cleaned and polished by rubbing with 

 a soft woollen cloth very slightly moistened with carbonic disulphide. 

 As the ebonite is attacked by the latter substance, care should be 

 observed, in employing it, to use only so much as is needed to faci- 

 litate the polishing process without injuring the surface. The 

 ebonite may be somewhat discoloured by these operations ; but the 

 colour can be restored by rubbing with a little oil, or will return of 

 itself after a time. 



Probably a better method may be found ; but this gives very good 

 results. On one occasion, early last autumn, when the electro- 

 machine had not been uced for some months, the sparks obtained on 

 charging it and using small condensers were only about one quarter 

 of an inch in length, and the action of the apparatus was very feeble. 

 The insulators were quite damp with the accumulated moisture. 

 When this had been removed by the process described, sparks eight 

 or nine inches in length were obtained at once, and the machine 

 worked with nearly its usual energy. — Silliman's American Journal 

 for July 1872. 



ON THE INSTANTANEOUS OXIDATION OF ALCOHOL. 

 BY M. A. HOUZEAXJ. 



Here is a simple example of the direct conversion of alcohol into 

 acetic acid and aldehyde, without the cooperation of any other agent 

 than oxygen modified by electricity. 



If, into a bottle of half a litre capacity filled with concentrated 

 moist ozone obtained by means of one of my single- or double-acting 

 ozonizers, about 10 cubic centims. of absolute or hydiated alcohol 

 be poured, a strong agitation of the bottle for a few seconds is suffi- 

 cient to cause the neutral and almost inodorous alcohol to manifest 

 a strong acid reaction with litmus paper, due to the acetic acid 

 formed*, and exhales an odour of aldehyde, the presence of which 

 is demonstrated by the reducing action of the liquor upon an 

 ammoniacal salt of silver. But the most curious fact of the experi- 

 ment is the simultaneous formation of relatively considerable quan- 

 tities of oxygenated water ; a few cubic centims. of the alcoholic 

 liquor turn the mixture of chromic acid and ether deep blue. 



* After the action of ozone, alcohol saturated with lime-water and eva- 

 porated to dryness leaves a residuum which liberates acetic acid on contact 

 with diluted sulphuric acid. 



