SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
205 
opposed to such experiments in publication. The new journal will, in form 
and size, resemble Notes and Queries , and rumour says it is likely to be ably 
conducted. 
Action of Potassium on Hydrocarbons. — M. Berthelot continues his re- 
searches on this subject. At a late meeting of the Chemical Society of 
Paris he stated, that not only acetylin, but also cumol and napthalin were 
attacked by potassium. The same effects were produced on anthracen, and 
most of the less hydrogenized hydrocarbons. Benzol and hydrocarbons rich 
in hydrogen are not easily attacked. 
Thorina in Euxenite. — Professor Chydenius, of Helsingfors, in Finland, 
states that he has detected the presence of thorina in euxenite. 
Chemical Analysis of Variegated Strata. — The relation between chemical 
composition and the variegated character of certain geological strata has 
been explored by Mr. George Mair, F.G.S. At a late meeting of the Geo- 
logical Society Mr. Mair gave the results of some analyses of the light and 
dark parts of various slates, sandstones, &c., in which iron was sought,, 
proving that the lighter blotches, spots, and stripes, contain a smaller pro- 
portion of the colouring oxide than the average mass — a proportion which 
implies an actual difference in the percentage of the metallic iron, and which 
could not be accounted for by any mere difference in the state of its combin- 
ation. This shows, he says, an actual departure of a part of the colouring 
oxide out of the colourless patches, and a dispersive process which seems 
to be the very reverse of the segregation of nodules of carbonate of lime and 
carbonate of iron out of a clayey matrix. Among the forms of variegation 
referred to were : (1st) that resulting from the segregation of dark blotches 
out of a lighter matrix, the evenness of colour of which does not appear to 
have been materially affected by the withdrawal of a part of its colouring 
matter ; (2nd) that resulting from the segregation of dark blotches out of a 
lighter ground, each of which is concentrically surrounded by a distinct and 
well-defined zone lighter than the general ground ; (3rd) strata variegated 
with light blotches containing a smaller proportion of colouring matter than 
the general ground, but not arranged concentrically round a darker nucleus ; 
(4th) the variegation of coloured strata with both light and dark blotches, 
containing respectively a smaller and larger proportion of the colouring oxide 
than the general ground, but which are not arranged, as in the second case, 
concentrically with each other. 
Conversion of Carbonic Oxide into Formic Acid. — This metamorphosis, 
which is certainly one of the wonders of modern organic synthesis, has been 
achieved by M. Berthelot. Of the method pursued by M. Berthelot the 
following description was given by Dr. Grace Calvert, in one of his lectures 
before the Society of Arts : — 11 Oxide of carbon,” said Dr. Calvert, u which 
is highly poisonous, is the gas chosen by M. Berthelot to produce formic acid. 
To arrive at this end, he pours, at the bottom of a large glass vessel, a strong 
solution of caustic lye of soda or potash, filling the vessel with oxide of carbon. 
After giving a rotatory motion to the glass vessel, the oxide of carbon is 
absorbed by the potash, and each two chemical proportions of oxide of car- 
bon, in fixing one chemical proportion of water, are converted into formic 
acid, which unites with the potash to produce formiate of potash or soda.” 
Chemical Manures. — All who are familiar with scientific agriculture are 
