378 
Scientific Intelligence . 
[Dec. 
The Secretary having read tlie proposed reply, it was unanimously resolved, 
that the draft reply-now submitted, be approved of, and that the Secretary be re- 
quested to write, in terms of it to Government. 
The President submitted the draft, of a circular which he proposed should be 
translated into French, Spanish, Italian, German, and two, at least, of the native 
languages of India, and circulated by the Foreign Secretary Mr. Piddington. 
The draft circular was approved of by the Meeting. 
Circular. 
Sir — The Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India have directed rae to re- 
quest your kind attention to the present circular. 
The Society are convinced that the freeest possible exchange of the natural pro- 
ductions of every country will he found in the end most conducive to the prosperity 
of all : and guided by these principles, they desire to offer both to societies and in- 
dividuals, in every quarter of the globe, any of the Agricultural and Horticultural 
products of India, or any information relative thereto, which may be desired, in 
exchange for such as may be forwarded or communicated to them. It will be 
most gratifying to the Society if you can point out to them any desiderata which 
can be supplied from India, or if you can by any means forward to them seeds, 
plants, useful communications or suggestions. The Society will feel much obliged by 
your giving every publicity in your power to this communication. 
XII . — Scientific Intellige nee . 
Novelties in Science. 
1. Analyses of the Tourmaline. 
M. Gmelin has analysed a great many varieties of this mineral ; the method 
adopted is the following : — The mineral reduced to a fine powder is mixed with 
carbonate of barytes, and strongly heated. The mass is afterwards treated with a 
sufficient quantity of muriatic acid to dissolve it entirety, and the solution is eva- 
porated upon a sand bath to drvness. M. Gmelin ascertained by direct state- 
ment, that at this temperature the quantity of boraeic acid volatilized is so minute, 
that it may be neglected without any sensible error. The silica is obtained in the 
usual manner, by treating the residuum of evaporation, with water. Carbonate of 
ammonia is added to the solution, and after filtration and evaporation to dryness, 
the residuum is gradually heated to low redness. In this manner, no boracicacid can 
be lost, because it is combined with ammonia. The residuum, after being weighed, 
is washed with alcohol mixed with a little muriatic acid; the alcohol being separat- 
ed, is burnt; the operation is repeated until the alcohol docs not give a green flame. 
All the boraeic acid, which is combined with the ammonia, is thus obtained. The re- 
siduum again heated and dried, and the loss of weight determines the quantity of 
boraeic acid. 
Tourmalines are divided by M. Gmelin into three classes, the first of which 
contains lithia : — I. Red Tourmaline from Kusnn in Moroniu, sp. gr. 2,96 to 3,92. 
II. Red Tourmaline from Peru in Siberia ; sp. gr. 3,059, III. Celadon-green Tour- 
maline from Brazil ; sp. gr. 3,079. 
Boraeic acid. 
Silica, 
Alum inn, 
Oxidulous oxide of iron, 
manganese, 
Lime, 
Potash, 
Lithia, 
Volatile matter, 
I. 
II. 
III. 
5,74 
4,18 
4 59 
42,13 
39,37 
39,16 
36,43 
44,00 
40,00 
5,96 
6,32 
1,20 
5,02 
2,14 
2,41 
1,29 
2,04 
2,52 
3, 59 with Potash. 
1,31 
1,58 
1,58 
97,58 
97,96 
97,02 
