164 
IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS IN SCIENCE. 
(both male and female), that may have been 
horn to her. The children are, in maturer 
years, allowed to reside with either parent as 
choice directs. If, on the contrary, the wife 
shall be found to have behaved ill, she pays a 
certain sum of money (generally about 25_or 
30 rupees), to her husband, who also retains 
possession of the male children; the wife 
receiving no part whatever of the property. 
In cases where no criminality is attached to 
either party, and both desire to be separated, 
GENERAL 
NOTICE OF SOME RECENT IM- 
PROVEMENTS IN SCIENCE, 
COMPOUNDS OF AZOTE.— Inorganic 
chemistry we can separate from one sub- 
stance, by means of different re-agents, a 
number of bodies differing very materially in 
their nature from the substance in which they 
were previously combined. To ascertain if 
this fact held good in reference to inorganic 
substances, Liebig submitted to examination 
a ternary compound, which he formed in the 
following manner : {Ann. de Chim. Ivi.) He 
passed through a solution of sulpho-cyanodide 
of potassium a current of chlorine gas. When 
boiled with dilute nitric acid an orange- 
yellow body precipitated, which, in its com- 
position, was identical with the radicle of 
hydrosulphocyanic acid. Hence, he consi- 
dered it as sulpho-cyanogen . This substance, 
when heated, is decomposed, and a quantity 
of sulphur and sulphuret of carbon comes off, 
while a yellow powder remains, which was 
employed by Liebig in his sub sequent 
researches, Liebig terms this citron-coloured 
powder When exposed to a tempera- 
ture at which glass melts, it is decomposed 
into pure cyanogen and azote. Analyzed with 
oxide of copper, carbonic acid and azote 
are procured in the proportion of 3 to 2. 
He considers it composed of Carbon 458‘622 
Azote 708'144 Total 1166'766 and explains 
its formation by conceiving 2 atoms of sul- 
phuret of carbon — 2 C + 4 S and 4 atoms 
of sulphur to be subtrated by the heat from 
4 atoms of sulpho-cyanogen, whose composi- 
tion he states = 80-}“^^ 4-8 8. There 
remains therefore 6 C -V 8 A, 
Mellon, when heated in dry chlorine gas, 
combines with it and forms a white body, 
possessing a strong smell, and acting upon 
the eyes. The same substance may also be 
procured by heating together two parts 
chloride of murcury and one sulpho-cyanodide 
of potassium. In a current of dry chlorine 
gas. With potassium melion combines and 
forms a transparent easily fusible mass, which 
dissolves in water, imparting to it a taste of 
bitter almonds, precipitating the metals not 
as cyanodides, and is decomposed by the 
agency of acids. 
a fair division of property is made, each receiv- 
ing what he or she may have possessed before 
marriage, with and equal share of the produce 
of their united labours ; the husband retain- 
ing the boys, and the wife the girls. The 
case being investigated and decided upon, a 
paion is broken into two pieces, one of which 
is given to each as the emblem of separation. 
This done, the divorce has been effected, and 
they are both at liberty to contract any new 
alliance.” 
SCIENCE. 
2. MELAIN. — The substance is procured 
from hydro-sulpho-cyanate of ammonia, a 
salt which is formed by distilling together 
two parts of muriate of ammonia, and one 
part sulpho cyanodide of potassium. The 
composition of the hydro-sulpho-cyanate of 
ammonia is analogous w'ith that of urea, 
sulphur being substituted for the oxygen of 
the latter. When heated, the first effect 
is to disengage a considerable quantity of 
ammonia, then sulphuret of carbon, and soon 
sulphuret of ammonia appears in the neck 
of the retort. After the distillation is over a 
new subtance is observed in the retort, mixed 
with chloride of potassium and sal-ammoniac.' 
By washing, the salts are taken up, and the 
grey matter called rr^elam, which remains, 
is insoluble in water, ether, and alcohol. 
It is frequently mixed with a little sulphur, 
which may be removed by levigation. It is 
decomposed by a strong heat into ammonia, 
cyanogen, and azote. If it is boiled in potash 
it readily dissolves, and the filtered liquor 
deposits a white granular luatfer, which 
is melam in a state of purity. Analyzed by 
means of oxide of copper, melam yielded. 
Carbon 30*550 Hydrogen 3 860 Azote 65 589 
Total lOO OOO. 
When boiled with nitric acid it dissolves, 
and crystals of cyanuric acid deposited on 
cooling. Fused with potash, cyanic acid is 
formed. Boiled with a solution of the same, 
and concentrated, it deposits crystals. The 
supernatant liquor retains a trace of this 
substance, which is precipitated by sal- 
ammoniac or carbonate of ammonia, afford- 
ing a white gelatinous product, identical 
with the substance procured by treating 
melam with muriatic acid. 
3. MELAMINE. — By this name Liebig 
distinguishes the substance which has just 
been described. To obtain it in a state of 
purity, he recomends taking the residue 
after the distillation of 21bs. sal-ammoniac, 
and lib. sulpho-cyanodide of potassium, 
and adding to it a solution of 2 ounces of 
potash in 3 or 4 of water, and boiling them 
until the liquid be quite clear ; after which 
it is to be filtered and evaporated gradually, 
vvhen crystals of pure melamine are deposited. 
These crystals are octohedrons, with a 
