322 Scientific Intelligence. 



and alcohol and passing a stream of dry ammonia gas into the 

 solution. The ammonium salt is thus precipitated, usually in a 

 crystalline condition. The authors have in this way prepared 

 the ammonium salts of maleic, fumaric, mesaconic, citraconic, 

 malonic and phthalic acids. — Amer. Chem. Jour., xlix, 84. 



h. l. w. 



4. The Behavior of Nitroglycerine when Heated. — Snelling 

 and Storm, by the use of a special cabinet constructed of steel 

 plates, with a window of very heavy plate glass, have been 

 enabled to observe the effects of heating upon nitroglycerine in 

 quantities of 2 or 3 grams. They have found that the substance 

 begins to decompose at temperatures as low as 50 or 60° C, while 

 at 70° C. the commercial product gives off appreciable quantities 

 of nitrous acid in the course of 15 to 30 minutes. At these tem- 

 peratures it is somewhat volatile, and as the temperature rises 

 volatilization and decomposition increase. At 145° C. boiling 

 occurs, which is due partly to decomposition and partly to volati- 

 lization. As the temperature increases the boiling becomes more 

 violent and explosion takes place at about 218° C. After rapid 

 decomposition has started the temperature tends to rise rapidly 

 of its own accord on account of the heat given off by the decom- 

 position. When the temperature is maintained at between 145 

 and 21o° C, at atmospheric pressure, the nitroglycerine can be 

 partly decomposed and partly distilled without a final explosion 

 of the residue. — Technical Paper 12, U. S. Bureau of Mines. 



h. l. w. 



5. An Illustration of the Luminosity of Phosphorus.— A 

 simple lecture experiment for showing this phenomenon has been 

 described by D. F. Twiss. A vertical glass tube about an inch 

 wide and 4 feet long is supplied at the bottom with a rubber 

 stopper carrying a small glass tube which is bent upwards so as 

 to be parallel to the large tube and of about the same height. A 

 solution of phosphorus in olive oil is introduced into the larger 

 tube so as to reach within about 6 inches of the top, and steady 

 suction is applied at the mouth of this tube by means of a water 

 pump. Air enters through the narrow tube and a beautiful series 

 of bell-shaped phosphorescent air bubbles rises through the 

 column of oil. — Chem. News, cvii, 16. h. l. w. 



6. Recent Advances in Organic Chemistry / by A. W. 

 Stewart. 8vo, pp. 320. London, 1911 (Longmans, Green and 

 Co. Price $2.50 net). — This very useful book for more advanced 

 students of the subject has now appeared in a new edition with 

 many modifications to bring it up to date. Two new chapters 

 have been added, one on quinoles, and another on the triphenyl- 

 methyl problem. The book is well written and affords very 

 interesting and instructive reading. t. b. j. 



7. Review Questions and Problems in Chemistry ; by M. S. H. 

 Unger. 12mo, pp. 106. Boston, 1912 (Ginn and Company. 

 Price 50c). — This book has been prepared for use in reviewing 

 the facts, theories, and laws of elementary chemistry. Many 



