20 
beginnings ; he arranged for a very extensive set of experi- 
ments to be made so as to fix on a standard of comparison, 
but has not found time. 
“ On some some points in the Chemistry of Acid Manu- 
facture, 5 ’ by H. A. Smith, F.C.S. 
The author endeavours to throw some light on the interior 
economy of the lead chamber as at present used in the 
manufacture of sulphuric acid, by making first : — 
An experimental examination of the causes which deter- 
mine the action , inter se, of the gases in the lead chamber. 
The conclusion come to differed from that generally 
received. He believes that action can take place between 
dry sulphurous acid and nitric acid gases, without the use 
of steam, and showed by several experiments that if action 
be commenced between the above mentioned gases it con- 
tinues, even in the absence of air, till all the available 
oxygen present in the nitric acid has been made use of. 
He also comes to the following conclusions : — 
1. That the volume of steam introduced should be less 
than the combined volumes of the two gases. 
2. That the volume of steam introduced should increase 
in proportion to the increase of temperature. 
3. That the greatest amount of action between the two 
gases (and therefore the greatest yield of vitriol) 
takes place near the surface of previously formed 
sulphuric acid, and that therefore in ‘ starting ’ the 
