Chemistry and Physics. ° 509 
position according to the equation KClO,=KCI+(0,),. To 
demonstrate beyond question this formation of chlorate, the per- 
chlorate was heated until it lost about 10 per cent of its weight, 
then dissolved in water and fractionally crystallized. The third 
fraction contained 41°68 and the fourth 42°91 per cent of chlorate. 
—J. Chem. Soc., li, 274, March, 1887. G. F. B. 
2. On the Influence of Silicon on the Properties of Iron and 
Steel.—TuRNER has made experiments at the South Staffordshire 
Steel and Ingot Iron Company’s works at Bilston, to determine 
the influence which silicon exerts upon the properties of iron and 
steel. A small, modified Deville furnace was erected on the plat- 
form between two Bessemer vessels. The crucibles used were of 
Stourbridge fire clay, and were capable of holding about 35 
pounds of steel. After the necessary annealing the pot was 
placed in the furnace and raised to about the melting point of 
cast iron. A few minutes before the mixture was to be made, a 
weighed quantity of silicon pig was introduced into the crucible 
and the temperature was increased by turning on more blast. 
At the right moment the crucible was rapidly removed from the 
furnace and brought to the mouth of the converter, while at the 
same time a ladle of metal was drawn from the vessel. This 
‘was poured into the crucible and the metal well stirred by means 
of arod of basic steel. After cooling, the crucible was broken 
and the ingot numbered. Each ingot was submitted to mechan- 
ical tests and was carefully analyzed. ‘The author concludes that 
on adding silicon in the form of silicon pig to the purest, Besse- 
mer iron, the metal is quiet in the mould even when only a few 
hundredths per cent of silicon is added. The metal is originally 
red-short, especially at a dull red heat, though it works well at 
a welding temperature; the red-shortness being increased by 
silicon. In all cases examined the metal was tough cold and, 
welded well, the silicon having little or no influence. Silicon 
increases the elastic limit and tensile strength, but diminishes 
the elongation and the contraction of area, a few hundredths per 
cent having a remarkable influence in this respect. The appear- 
ance on fracture by tensile force, is changed from finely silky to 
crystalline, while the fracture produced by a blow gradually be- 
comes more like that of tool steel as the silicon increases. The . 
hardness increases with increase of silicon, but appears to be 
closely connected with the tenacity. With 0:4 per cent of silicon 
and 0-2 per cent of carbon, a steel was obtained difficult to work 
at high temperatures, but tough when cold, capable of being 
hardened in water, and giving a cutting edge which successfully 
resisted considerable hard usage.—2/. Chem. Soc., li, 129, Febru- 
ary, 1887. Goer. By 
3. Agriculture in some of its relations with Chemistry ; by 
F. H. Srorer, 8.B. A.M., Prof. Agric. Chem. Harvard Univers- 
ity. Two volumes, 530 and 510 pp., 8vo. New York, 1887 
(Scribner’s Sons).—This work, by the able Professor of Agri- 
cultural Chemistry in Harvard University, is a contribution, of 
