FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
623 
oil is obtained boiling at from 250° to 255°, which has the 
same composition as phenyl ether, and becomes solid on 
cooling, rising again at 28°. — Ibid . 
The Composition of Fossil and Recent Rones. — 
M. Scheurer-Kestner states that he finds in bones which have 
been buried for long periods, besides ossein, which is insoluble 
in w r ater, another organic nitrogenous substance, soluble in 
water, and into w 7 hich he supposes ossein to be slowly changed. 
Running w r ater gradually removes this soluble modified 
ossein, and consequently the ancient bones found in loose 
imperious soils contain very little organic matter, while those 
buried in compact clay may retain a large quantity of it. 
The rate of decomposition thus varies with the nature of the 
soil; but in the same soil M. Scheurer-Kestner believes that 
the relative age of different bones can, to a considerable 
extent, be determined by their chemical composition. — 
Ibid. 
The Purification of Camphor. — Crude camphor is 
adulterated with common salt, sulphur, vegetable matter, 
tar, and water. It is most successfully purified by sublima- 
tion in glass flasks of a capacity of 8 lb. to 10 lb., at a tem- 
perature of 400° F. These flasks are made of thin glass, 
with flat bottoms and short necks. They are put into a 
sand bath, where the heat can be uniform and rapid. The 
crude camphor is broken up, mixed with three to five per 
cent, of freshly slaked lime, and one to two per cent, iron 
filings, well sifted and introduced through a funnel into the 
neck of the flasks. The flasks are then put into the sand- 
bath, covered with sand to the neck, and heated gently for 
half an hour to expel the v 7 ater. As the temperature increases 
the camphor softens, and at last melts. After the whole mass 
has become fluid, the sand is removed from the upper part of 
the flask, and a paper stopper put in to close it partially. The 
heat is then carefully preserved at a point sufficient to sub- 
lime the camphor, but not to remelt it. In this v T ay a very 
pure article can be obtained. — Ibid. 
