SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
321 
in divided doses to a perfectly healthy man, seemed to increase his appetite; 
4 fluid ounces lessened it considerably, and larger quantities almost de- 
stroyed it. In other healthy persons it may be different from the above, 
while in most cases of disease it seems probable that a much smaller 
amount of alcohol would destroy appetite. The number of beats of the 
heart in twenty-four hours (as calculated from eight observations made in 
fourteen hours) increases very largely — viz. an average of more than 13 
per cent. ; while the actual work done by the heart in excess was found to 
be equal to lifting 15*8 tons 1 foot, and during the two last days of the 
experiment it did extra work to the amount of 24 tons lifted as far. 
METALLURGY, MINERALOGY, AND MINING. 
The Combustion of the Diamond. — Professor Morren of Marseilles recently 
laid a paper before the French Academy (May 2) on the combustion of the 
diamond in various gases. When the diamond has been heated in a platina 
tube, through which some hydro-carburetted gas has passed, the diamond 
becomes covered with an adhering black layer, which does not alter the 
diamond, and can easily be removed by a simple elevation of the tempera- 
ture. This elevation should not be carried too far, however, as it would 
change the polish of the stone and its brilliancy ; but if, instead of such a 
gas as the above, pure dry hydrogen is passed through the tube, the diamond 
may be submitted to a higher temperature without in any way altering its 
appearance. If carbonic acid be used, this gas is decomposed, and oxygen 
and carbonic oxide are formed in the tube, .But this decomposition takes 
place when there is no diamond in the tube, and is, therefore, merely an 
effect of the temperature. When the diamond is heated in oxygen, it 
burns, being surrounded by a sort of halo ; and after a certain time it 
completely disappears. If the diamond be examined with a microscope 
before it has entirely disappeared, it is seen that the faces of the crystal, 
instead of being a plane, are covered with a number of small elementary 
facettes. 
Composition of Chabacite. — Herr Kengott gives an account of this in the 
Journal fur prakt. Chem. (Nos. 2 and 3). He gives, first, a review of the 
various results of analysis of the mineral called chabacite, as obtained by 
different authors, and next, a lengthy discussion as to the proper formula to 
be assigned to this mineral, because, although it has been analysed by the 
most competent hands, and the mineral is crystalline, there are great dis- 
crepancies in the results. Chabacite contains, in 100 parts, according to 
some analysts, silica, 51*46; alumina, 17*65; lime, 8*91; soda, 1*09; 
potassa, 0*17 ; water, 19*66 ; peroxide of iron, 0*85. 
Some Chili Minerals. — The Chemical Neivs , in a recent number, gives an 
abstract of a paper by Mr. Domeyko in the Annales des Mines (No. 6, 1869). 
The following are the author’s results : — Tungstate of Copper. In 100 parts : 
— Tungstic acid, 56*48 ; oxide of copper, 30*63 ; lime, 2*0 ; oxide of iron, 
2*53; silica, 3*87 ; water driven off at red heat, 4*62. On the Titaniferous 
Sand of the Chilian Sea-board , and on the Origin of that Sand. — The analysis 
YOL. IX. — NO. XXXYI. Y 
