482 E. L. TroxelL — Fossil Ruminant from Texas. 



Ovis is frequently mentioned in the literature, but no 

 authentic record of a true fossil sheep can be found earlier than 

 what might well be considered Recent. 



The atlas found associated with the skull aud corresponding 

 in size has some distinctly camel-like characters. The trans- 

 verse foramen follows the wall of the lateral process and opens 

 on the edge near the axial articulation. This articular surface 

 is broad and flat and a wide strip extends beneath the neural 

 canal. The atlas is over one third broader than that of a full 

 grown camel, indicating a powerful neck. The animal must 

 have been quite strong, for the skull also is heavy and the 

 horns are large. 



The occiput- facial angle as nearly as can be determined is 

 68-| , showing the great posterior extension of the crest or the 

 low position of the condyles. 



The facio-cranial angle is, roughly measured, 45°. Such a 

 great deflection of the face is characteristic of the sheep and is 

 indicative of a grazing adaptation. The angle increases with 

 age but in the adult sheep goes beyond 50°. From the sutures, 

 which are not closely knit, and from this angle the animal is 

 considered as having almost reached maturity. 



University of Michigan. 



Art. XXXV. — The Separation and Estimation of Aluminium 

 and Beryllium by the Use of Acetyl Chloride in Acetone y 

 by H. D. Minnig. 



[Contributions from the Kent Chemical Laboratory of Yale Univ. — cclxxii.] 



In a former paper* from this laboratory a method was de- 

 scribed for the quantitative separation of aluminium from iron 

 by the use of acetyl chloride in acetone. The application of 

 this method depends on the fact that from concentrated aque- 

 ous solution of the two chlorides aluminium is precipitated 

 completely as the hydrous chloride, while the iron remains in 

 solution. This precipitation is brought about, doubtless, by 

 the decomposition of the acetyl chloride and simultaneous 

 formation of hydrochloric acid which, as is well known, is a 

 precipitant for aluminium. At the same time the precipitating 

 mixture furnishes organic liquids in which the precipitated 

 hydrous chloride of aluminium remains insoluble and the chlo- 

 ride of iron soluble. The main function of the acetone is 

 simply to abate the violence of the reaction which ensues 

 when acetyl chloride reacts with water. 



* This Journal [4], xxxix, 197-200, Feb. 1915. 



