Chemistry and Physics. 349 



ing effect must be limited to the extreme upper rec;ions of the 

 atmosphere ; but in these regions the deozonizing effect of sun- 

 light is also ver}' strong, and it does not seem probable tliat a 

 noticeable quantity of ozone exists there. — Ann. der I'hysik, No. 

 13, pp. 598-006. " J. T. 



8. Influence of Pressure upon the Absorption of Ultra-lied 

 liadlation in Gases. — E. v. Bahr concludes that an increase of 

 pressure results in both a qualitative and quantitative change of 

 the absorption of oxide of nitrogen ; and that the qualitative 

 change of the absorption is important only with low pressures. 

 The absorption band at very low pressures consists of fine lines, 

 Avhich, however, quickly broaden with increase of pressure, and 

 run together at a pressure of 50""". — Anii. der Physik, No. 13, 

 pp. 585-597. J. T. 



9. Metallic Raditnn. — Madame Curie describes her method of 

 obtaining metallic radium. The principle of the .method con- 

 sisted in preparing an amalgam of mercurj' and metallic barium, 

 and a process of distillation to get rid of the mercury. At the 

 end of the process, a brilliant white metal was obtained which 

 melted at approximately 700° C. It adhered strongly to iron, 

 altered very rapidly in air, blackening immediately. Particles of 

 the metal put upon paper produce a blackening analogous to a 

 burning effect. In contact with water the metal is energetically 

 decomposed. — Comptes Pendus, Sept. 5, 1 910. See also on -p. 347. 



J. T. 



10. Wireless Telegraphy. — Marconi stales that messages have 

 been transmitted between Clifden, Ireland, and Glen Bay, Canada, 

 in daylight. The distance is 3500 miles. A pole was used for 

 the support of the aerial wire on the vessel. The greatest previ- 

 ous distance at sea was 1750 miles. — Nature., Sept. 29, 1910. 



J. T. 



11. A New Alloy. — The chief chemist of the works of Messrs. 

 Vickers Sons & Maxim announces the discovery of an alloy, 

 Avhich he calls Duralumin. It is slightly heavier than aluminium, 

 it is strong as sleel, and can be rolled, drawn, stamped, extended 

 or forged at suitable temperatures. It is less corrodable than 

 other alloys of aluminium and is one-third the weight of brass. — 

 Nature, Sept. 8, 1910. j. t. 



12. Handbuch der Spectroscopic f^ by H. Katser. Vol. V. 

 Pp. vi, 853, with 2 plates and 3 figures. Leipzig, 1910 (S. 

 Hirzel). — This volume contains all the reliable data pertaining to 

 the spectra of fifty elements. The subject matter is arranged 

 alphabetically with respect to the chemical symbols of the ele- 

 ments and hence the list ends with nitrogen. Such rare or 

 hypothetical elements as coronium, davyum, demonium, radium 

 emanation, holmium, incognitum and ionium of Crookes are 

 included. In addition, the spectra of air, lightning, the aurora 

 borealis and meteors, as well as the spectroscopic phenomena 

 associated with the Bessemer process, are discussed. The 

 remainder of the elements will be treated in a similar, exhaustive 

 manner in volume VI. 



*See this Join-nal, vol. xxv, p. 523, 1908. 



