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POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
analyses, generally. They found the following substances in the localities 
referred to, but they admit that some of them were found in isolated 
masses : — Carbonate of iron, carbonate of lime, sulphide of lead, sulphide 
of copper, sulphide of iron, and sulphide of nickel embedded in carbonate 
of lime ; also arsenic, sulphate of baryta, and hatchetine. 
Chemical Composition of Cast Iron . — Herr Rammelsberg has communicated 
his views on this question to the Academy of Sciences in Berlin. After 
alluding to the observations of Karsten, he goes on to say : “I have recently 
analysed the iron of Miisen, and found it to contain 5*8 per cent, of com- 
bined carbon ; and also graphite, which presented itself in lumps. Having 
dissolved some in hydrochloric acid, I found a marked residue, which, 
after being heated frequently in fresh acid, and washed, was treated 
with potash in a platinum dish. There was a rapid evolution of hydrogen, 
whilst the silicon was converted into silica. This disengagement of 
hydrogen was accompanied by the characteristic odour of the oily 
carbide compounds. The alkaline liquid having been separated by fil- 
tration, the filtrates seemed disturbed, as I suppose from the presence of 
titanic acid. The residuary graphite was washed in ether and alcohol, 
and afterwards carefully dried, and presented the aspect of pure graphite.” 
. . . . “ It is quite correct to say that specular iron is a combination 
of iron and carbon. But Karsten’s idea, that it was the form which 
contained the largest proportion of carbon, is without foundation. Specular 
iron may contain very variable quantities of carbon, without having its 
external characters altered. It might be presupposed that other electro- 
negative bodies might take the place of carbon in specular iron, and 
especially silicium, but analysis goes to prove the contrary. Those which 
contain most carbon, contain also most silicium.” Herr Rammelsberg 
endeavoured to determine the chemical formula of the crystals of grey 
cast iron but evidently, in such a case, much must be hypothetical. — See 
L’lnstitut , November 4th, 1863. 
MICROSCOPY. 
[In accordance with their true and recognised relations, it has been 
deemed expedient to distribute those portions of the Quarterly Retrospect 
embraced by the above term, among the three sections : Botany, Zoology, 
and Medical Science. For the convenience of readers, however, the titles 
of those papers which relate to the so-called Microscopic Science are here 
subjoined : — ] 
Zoological Section — 
Reproductive Phenomena of Amoebae. 
Two Species of Entomostraca new to Britain. 
Nervous System of Mollusks. 
Development of Bothriocephalus latus. 
Influence of Infusoria over the Process of Germination. 
Botanical Section — 
Leaf-cells of Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes. 
Anatomy of the Cytinese. 
