1879.] • 
Notes . 
205 
the two salts is not, however, complete, since there may be 
found in the liquid both sulphate of lime and cream of tartar. 
If the gypsum is in large excess a part of it is deposited among 
the tartrate of lime. 
Dr. Theodor Schuchardt, of Goerlitz, has introduced a new 
body, which he calls silicium strontium. It is formed from the 
preparation of metallic strontium by electrolysis. The compound 
is a grey powder with a slight odour resembling phosphuretted 
hydrogen. When mixed with dilute hydrochloric acid a rapid 
evolution of the spontaneously inflammable siliciuretted hydrogen 
takes place. If obtainable in quantity this compound will pro- 
bably be the readiest source of siliciuretted hydrogen. 
A ready means of detecting the adulteration of saffron is sug- 
gested by Messrs. Domeier and Co. To deteCt adulteration with 
Calendula flowers (Feminelle) it is merely required to moisten a 
few flowers, and to rub them singly with the finger on white 
paper. The genuine flowers will give a fine rich yellow colour, 
whilst the Feminelle will only yield a violet reddish hue. It can 
also be easily detected by soaking the suspicious flowers in pure 
- — or, better still, distilled — water. The real saffron will retain 
its fine red colour after hours, whilst the Feminelle will lose its 
artificial tint within a short time. To deteCt an admixture of 
honey and barytes it is merely required to put a pinch of saffron 
in a tumbler with pure clear water, agitating it for a few minutes. 
Adulterated saffron will at once turn the water cloudy, and even 
small particles of dust may be seen falling to the bottom, which, 
on pouring the water carefully out, will be found to be a slimy, 
sand-like mass. With pure saffron the water will remain clear, 
showing a fine pure yellow colour, which, according to the quality 
of the flowers, will be more or less intense. Five or ten minutes 
suffice for these experiments. 
Metallurgy. 
An admirable sketch of the present position of the French 
Iron-trade, drawn up by M. S. Jordan, Professor of Metallurgy 
at the Ecole Centrale, for the use of his foreign colleagues at the 
Paris meeting of the Iron and Steel Institute, is given in the 
OClober number of the “ Revue Universelle des Mines.” It 
begins by describing the different French coal-basins. The iron- 
ores native to France are then described, and the analyses of 
most of them are given. We are next presented with a series 
of tables showing the consumption of French ores both native 
and foreign. The smelting processes also receive attention, 
and are described in eleven geographical groups. 
Physic?. 
Mr. Louis Schwendler has reported to the India Office on the 
suitability of the eleCtric light for India. We shall refer at 
length to this report in our next number ; meanwhile we may 
