398 Chronicles :j Science. [J^Ji 



the formic acid of the sulphur series, and suggests that the atomic 



expression may be simplified by halving the common formula thus : — 



Xa ; H. ; S. : 0* = 2,XaH SO,). 



An interesting conversation followed the reading of these two 

 papers, in the course of which Dr. C. Calvert mentioned that in 

 making formic acid by the oxalic acid and glycerine process, he had 

 ■:": nerved that the acid was produced slowly at first, but that on 

 adding a fresh quantity of monohydrated oxalic acid, the action 

 went on very regularly. Dr. (Jdling suggested that this might be 

 explained by the supposition that a formiate of glycerine was first 

 fanned, and subsequently decomposed. 3Ir. Chapman thought that 

 an oxalate of glycerine was first produced, which, under the influence 

 of heat, split up into Connie and carbonic acids, the glycerine being 

 regenerate 1 Referring to Dr. Dupre"s paper. ZvLr. Chapman added 

 that he could not allow that sulphur played the part of carbon, or 

 that there was any analogy let ween formic and hyposulphurous 

 acids. 



Dr. F. C. Calvert then gave a short account of some experiments, 

 in the course of which he had found that a large proportion of the 

 mineral phosphates in cereals, peas, beans, and also cotton, could be 

 extracted bv licrestion in water.* Such solutions alwavs contain 

 much magnflgui 



3Ir. Spiller reminded the audience of an experiment of 

 Dr. Homiann, who used to show that the addition of ammonia to 

 infusion of malt or pale ale always produced a precipitate of am- 

 monio-magnesian phosph ate. 



Dr. Calvert then leseriben some results obtained by the action 

 : sharooal impregnated with oxygen, a longer account of which 

 was given at a subsequent meeting. 



0- March 21st. Dr. Gladstone read a paper •'•On Phosphoni- 

 tril,'" PNOj a white solid, produced by heating the product of the 

 action of ammoniacal - gas on the oxy chloride of phosphorus, and 

 which has been described before under the names " phosphamit 

 and ' :." — names obviously inapplicable since the 



body contains no hydrogen. Dr. Gladstone therefore proposes the 

 new wane, phosphonitril, a designation which met with the approval 

 c: Mr. I. Steiry Hunt, who had fifteen years ago described it as 

 the nitril of phosphoric acid. 



Mr. J. Parkinson then read a paper u On Phosphide of Mag- 

 nesium/' 3Ig,P, formed by heating magnesium with phosphorus 

 in an atmosphere of hydrogen. Phosphide of magnesium rapidly 

 decomposes water, farming phosphide of hydrogen and oxide of 

 magnesium. 



* It has long been known that the washings of starch manufacture contained a 

 large quantity of phosphates, and they have consequently been recommended for 



