Chemistry and Physics. 499 
SPelLEN TPIFIC INTELLIGENCER, 
I. CHEMISTRY AND Puysics. 
1. A Method for completely dehydrating Alcohol is recom- 
mended by H. Wisticenus and L. Kaurmann, which seems 
very convenient and practical, and which will probably fill a 
long-felt want in the laboratory. The reagent used is amalga- 
mated aluminium, which can be prepared in a few moments by 
treating aluminium filings, free from oil, with caustic soda solu- 
tion until a brisk evolution of hydrogen is produced, then washing 
once superficially with water and allowing a 4 per cent solution of 
corrosive sublimate to act for one or two minutes upon the metal, 
which is still moist with weak alkali solution. The whole opera- 
tion is rapidly repeated to remove a black scum which forms, and 
the product is quickly and thoroughly washed with water, alcohol 
and ether in succession, and is preserved, if necessary, under low- 
boiling petroleum-ether. Aluminium filings are on the market, at 
least in Germany, at a reasonable price. The amalgamation of 
this metal changes its chemical properties in a remarkable man- 
ner, so that it decomposes water violently, and it even becomes 
hot spontaneously from the action of the moisture of the air, with 
formation of white flakes of aluminium hydroxide. The reagent 
has no action upon alcohol and ether, but it reacts promptly with 
any water contained in them. The authors especially recommend 
the substance for use in organic chemistry as an entirely neutral 
reducing-agent.— Berichte deutsch. chem. Ges., xxvill, 1323, June, 
1895. He Is, Wa 
2. Carbon in Meteoric Irons.—The well-known finding of dia- 
monds in the Cafion Diablo meteorite has led Moissan to examine 
several other holosiderites. Five irons, from Texas, Scotland, 
Chili, Mexico and Russia were studied, but in no case were dia- 
monds found. The author concludes from this investigation that 
in some metallic meteorites there is no carbon, in. others carbon 
exists either in an amorphous condition or mixed with graphite, 
and finally, that up to the present time the Cafion Diablo meteor- 
ite is the only one known which contains three forms of carbon, 
viz., black and transparent diamond, graphite and amorphous car- 
bon.— Compt. Rend., exxxi, 483. ; H. L. W. 
3. A Study of Amorphous Boron.—Motssan has investigated 
the nature of this substance, as prepared by reduction with an 
alkali-metal according to previously described methods, and finds 
that such products are very impure. He has succeeded, however, 
in preparing almost absolutely pure amorphous boron by igniting 
an excess of anhydrous boracic acid with magnesium powder in a 
crucible by means of a gas-furnace, then treating the product with 
acids and igniting it with more boracic anhydride, to remove some 
remaining magnesium boride, and washing the final product with 
acids. Special precautions were taken to exclude atmospheric 
Am. Jour. Sct.—Tuirp SERIES, Vou. L, No. 300.—DECEMBER, 1895. 
33 
