400 Chronicles of Science. [July, 



M. H. Smith, " On the Oxidation of Acids of the Lactic Series," 

 was read; and also a note by the same authors, "On Limited 

 Oxidation by Alkaline Permanganate." In this latter paper the 

 authors pointed out the differences in the products of the oxidation 

 of common alcohol by acid, and by alkaline permanganate. In the 

 former case, acetic acid and aldehyde are produced, while in the 

 latter nothing but oxalic acid is obtained. Lactic acid gave similar 

 results. The authors pointed out a means of distinguishing between 

 citric and tartaric acid by the use of a strongly alkaline solution of 

 permanganate. Citric acid only carries the reduction to green 

 manganate, while with tartaric the reduction to brown hydrated 

 binoxide is complete. 



A paper, by Dr. F. C. Calvert, " On the Presence of Soluble 

 Phosphates in Cotton Fibre, Seeds, &c," was afterwards read. The 

 author's experiments have led him to the conclusion that the whole 

 of the phosphoric acid or phosphates is merely held mechanically 

 distributed through the organic tissue, and may be wholly extracted 

 by the action of water. He showed that cotton yarn steeped in 

 water yielded a solution containing phosphoric acid, lime, and 

 magnesia. Wheat, French beans, and walnuts gave similar results. 



The meeting on May 2 was occupied with a discussion, originated 

 by Dr. Odling, on the use and misuse of the term "'atomicity." 

 The discussion was continued by Professors Williamson and Miller, 

 who advocated the substitution of the term " equivalence," and by 

 Dr. Thudicum, who has proposed the word " dynamicity." For a 

 fall report of this interesting discussion we must refer our readers 

 to the Chemical Journals.* 



The last meeting we can notice was held on May 16. At this 

 Mr. W. H. Perkins, F.E.S., made an interesting communication on 

 the artificial formation of Coumarine. This substance, which was 

 discovered by Delalande in the Tonquin Bean, has the formula 

 C 9 H 6 2 . When gently heated with a solution of caustic potash 

 it assimilates water, and becomes coumaric acid, C 9 H 8 3 ; but 

 when fused with hydrate of potash it splits up into salicylic and 

 acetic acids. Mr. Perkins has found that by acting on the sodium 

 compound of hydride of salicyle with acetic anhydride, he obtains 

 a product completely identical with coumarine. The full details of 

 the experiment the author reserves for a future communication. 



The Secretary then read a paper by Professor Rammelsberg, 

 " On the Constitution of the Phosphites." 



The next paper was by Dr. Dupre, "On the Changes in the 

 Proportion of Acid and Sugar in Grapes during the progress of 

 Ripening." The author's experiments go to show that the amount 

 of acid varies but little during the progress of ripening, while, of 



* « Chemical News,' May 10, 1867. 



