1885 .] 
Analyses of Books. 427 
Arakan Mud Volcanoes burst into eruption chiefly during the wet 
season. An examination of the recorded eruptions would seem 
to point to the reverse conclusion, as ten of the thirteen have 
taken place in the five dry months, and only three in the seven 
wet months. The author, however, does not consider that the 
observations made are sufficiently numerous to warrant a gene- 
ralisation. 
Mr. F. R. Mallet gives an account of the phosphatic nodules 
and rock of Mussorea. They are of a very suitable quality for 
the manufacture of manure, as the nodules contain 3470 per 
cent of phosphoric anhydride and the rock to 30’ 16, equal 
respectively to 7575 and 65‘84 tricalcic phosphate. 
Chemical Science and the Voice. An Address delivered by Dr. 
Carter Moffat at the Second Ammoniaphone Concert, 
June 12th, 1885, under the direction of Col. H, Mapleson. 
The Ammoniaphone is a somewhat startling invention. By 
breathing through it a few times daily “ the voice becomes much 
stronger and richer in quality, while a very large amount of good 
is done to the respiratory apparatus. By taking a few inhalations 
every day for a time the husky voice is made clear, and the weak 
delicate throat and lungs strong.” Further, “ to use the instru- 
ment now and again prevents to a great extent the user taking 
colds. The susceptibility to chills and throat and chest affections 
disappears.” If certain “highly volatile antiseptics” — not 
named— are added to the vapours and gases ordinarily inhaled 
from the instrument, “ we have a sure and certain remedy at 
hand for stopping haemorrhage from the lungs.” 
Thus this instrument appeals to two distind worlds, the 
musical and the medical. Whether it possesses the merits 
claimed for it practical experience alone can decide. We are 
told that the invention “ is being used by numerous members of 
the Royal family, as well as by the Prime Minister and leading 
parliamentary men.” We should be inclined to think that if this 
invention leads to an increase of speech-making, with which we 
are already overstocked, Dr. Carter Moffat will have but very 
slender claims upon public gratitude. 
Turning now to the theory of the invention, we read that Dr. 
Moffat has found hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in the air and 
dew of Italy, and to these constituents of the atmosphere he 
ascribes the superior quality of the voice commonly met with, as 
it is supposed, among the natives of that country. But unless 
we are much mistaken hydrogen peroxide— hydroxyle as it is 
2 G 2 
