Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 457 



into more highly oxidized stable compounds. This condition is 

 fulfilled by nitroglycerine ; in fact, experiment proves that its de- 

 composition in a closed vessel is represented by the theoretic equa- 

 tion 



C 6 H 3 N 3 18 = 6C0 2 + 3]Sr + + 5HO. 



(5) Mining-powder. — The composition of the gases was found 

 sensibly the same for densities equal to 0'3 and 0-6; it is given 

 below. 



In a recapitulation we infer from these results the qualitative 

 and quantitative composition of the gases furnished by each explo- 

 sive under the normal conditions of its employment. The follow- 

 ing Table gives the volume (in litres) of each of the gases, per 

 kilogram of the substance, under those conditions : — 



CO. C0 2 . H. N. O. C 2 H 4 . HS. Total. 

 Pure gun-cotton ...... 234 234 166 107 . ; . . . . 741 



Gun-cotton with nitrate ) -.„-. -i^q a~ o-k 



of potass . , ,../'* ' ' 



Gun-cotton with nitrate S -jg^ 211 Q 401 



of ammonia J 



Nitroglycerine 295 .. 147 25 .. .. 467 



Ordinary mining-powder 64 150 4 65 . . 4 17 304 



— Comptes Rendus de V Academic des Sciences, May 3, 1880, t. xc. 

 pp. 1058-1060. 



SUMMARY OF THE LAWS WHICH GOVERN MATTER IN THE 

 SPHEROIDAL STATE. BY P.-H. BOUTIGNY. 



I. Temperature. — The temperature of bodies in the spheroidal 

 state is always below that of their ebullition : it is +97° for water. 



II. Non- equilibrium of Temperature. — The substance in the sphe- 

 roidal state never places itself in equilibrium of temperature with 

 the vessel which contains it ; its temperature is always in a state 

 of stable equilibrium, whether it be in a capsule with free access of 

 air or in the muffle of a cupel furnace. But if the body in the 

 spheroidal state does not place itself in equilibrium of temperature, 

 the vapour emanating from it always does so. These two pheno- 

 mena are manifested very clearly when the operation is performed 

 in a hollow sphere arranged ad hoc. 



III. Reflection of Radiant Heat. — Matter in the spheroidal state 

 reflects radiant heat. 



IV. Volume and Mass of the Spheroids. — The volumes of matter 

 in the spheroidal state are in the inverse ratio of their density ; 

 and their masses are equal among themselves. 



Y. Repellent Force at a sensible Distance. — This law is the most 

 important of all, the richest in deductions ; for we regard it as the 

 antagonist of universal attraction. 



On the floor of the Pantheon, in the axis of the cupola, upon a 

 good charcoal fire a large platinum capsule is placed, and its tem- 

 perature raised to the utmost possible. This being arranged, water 

 is poured down from the top of the Pantheon (about 70 metres 



Phil. Mag. S. 5. Vol. 9. No. 58. June 1880. 2K 



