SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
211 
our extreme gratification at this mark of appreciation being shown him by 
the Royal Society. 
Detection of Bromoform in Commercial Bromine . — It is stated that in 
titering, by means of potassium iodide, a solution of bromine in water, Herr 
Reymann observed that the result obtained was too low, and that the liquid 
possessed a peculiar odour recalling that of chloroform. Further investiga- 
tion showed the bromine to be mixed with at least 10 per cent, of a sub- 
stance boiling between 80° and 165°, the principal part of which consists of 
bromoform. It is readily detected by the influence it has in lessening the 
solubility of bromine in water as well as by its odour, which is most readily 
perceived when the bromine is agitated with a solution of potassium iodide 
and the whole decolorized by sodium thiosulphate. 
A New Acid and Oxide of Uranium. — In a preliminary notice which 
Mr. T. Fairley, F.R.S.E., has sent to the 11 Chemical News,” he explains 
the action of hydrogen dioxide on salts of uranium. He says it is remark- 
able, and takes place even in presence of much free acid. On mixing 
solutions of uranic nitrate and hydrogen dioxide, a yellowish white precipi- 
tate is obtained, which, when washed and dried at 100° C, retains one atom 
of water, and gives numbers agreeing well with the empirical formula 
N0 2 ,H 2 0. Its real formula is no doubt some multiple of this formula. 
This oxide is, by its decomposition with alkaline hydrates, shown to be a 
compound of a higher oxide of uranium, N0 3 , with uranic oxide, N 2 0 3 . 
The sodium, potassium, and ammonium salts of this acid have been prepared. 
The sodium salt is readily obtained in crystals by mixing strong solutions of 
uranic salt with excess of hydrogen dioxide solution (5 per cent.), and then 
adding strong sodium hydrate solution in quantity sufficient to dissolve the 
precipitate. If weaker solutions be used, the addition of a little alcohol 
will separate the sodium salts in crystalline plates. The full analyses of 
these compounds he will publish shortly. By means of h}’drogen dioxide 
uranium may be separated from all other metals, and in acetic solutions 
either uranic salt or hydrogen dioxide may be used to titrate each other 
using potassium ferrocyanide as indicator. 
GEOLOGY. 
Flint Implements from the Brixham Cavern. — We have received a series 
of very admirable photographs from Mr. N. Whitley, done by himself, o 
specimens of flint weapons which he alleges are taken from those to be seen 
at the Christy Museum. Of the more than thirty examples in the photo- 
graphs there are hardly more than two which strike us as being of human 
workmanship. We have carefully examined them, and have submitted the 
photographs to the opinion of an eminent geologist, who thoroughly agrees 
with us in regarding these photographs, with one or two exceptions, as those 
of purely natural specimens of flint. 
Oolitic Brachiopoda. — We learn from the “ Geological Magazine ” that 
Mr. J. F. Walker, M.A., F.G.S., exhibited at a late meeting of the York- 
shire Naturalists’ Club the following species of Brachiopoda which occur on 
the Continent, but are scarcely known as British species, viz. Terebratula 
