582 
DISMISSAL OF ASSISTANT BY A MONTH’S NOTICE. 
when turned out of the cloth, will he found in just the right condition to be moulded 
into cones with fhe fingers. Sometimes mucilage of tragacanth is added, but it is not 
necessary, as the dried salt (HgCyS 2 ) has, like the white precipitate of the shops, con¬ 
siderable firmness in mass. The actual play of affinities, during the combustion of the 
salt, is, perhaps, not certainly known ; but the following rationale, involving 24 equiva¬ 
lents of the salt, may be assumed to approach nearly to the truth:— 
Before combustion. 
Hg ; 
No 
24 
24 (HgCy S 2 ) = 
After combustion. 
Hg 12 , passing off in vapour. 
N 4 , evolved in a free state. 
C 
4S 
^48 
5 (N 4 C 6 ), mellon, forming the chief bulk of the snake. 
18 (CS 2 ). The elements of 18 equivalents of bisulphuret of 
carbon, which, by assuming 108 equivalents oxygen from 
the air, become carbonic and sulphurous acid gases. 
12 (HgS), cinnabar, which partially remains in the snake, and 
\ is partly consumed and volatilized on the surface. 
While on the subject of chemical toys, we may as well to refer to another. Philoso¬ 
phers, as well as children, may be amused and instructed by blowing bubbles. Several 
years ago, an account was published of the capacity of a solution of oleate of soda to 
yield bubbles of extraordinary dimensions and of gorgeous colouring. Our correspon¬ 
dent has taken some pains to investigate this property, and finds that the success of 
the experiment depends largely upon the purity of the oleate used. The commercial 
oleic acid made by the manufacturers of stearic acid does not afford an oleate of soda 
that answers the purpose intended, even though it be purified by combination with oxide 
of lead, and separation by ether, etc. 
The best resultsfwere obtained as follows :—Dissolve 2 ounces of good white Castile 
soap in 20 fluid ounces of boiling water, and add about 1 ounce of sulphuric acid, diluted 
with 2 fluid ounces of water, and stir together ; the fatty acids of the soap are separated 
and rise to the surface, wffiere they collect and float as a clear yellowish oily layer. The 
vessel is now removed from the fire, and, with a siphon, decant the acid solution of sul¬ 
phate of soda constituting the inferior layer of liquid, carefully avoiding the loss of the 
oily part by stopping in time. The oily acids are then well washed three successive 
times in hot water, separating them as before; after which, by exposure to cold, they 
solidify. The mass is then weighed, put in a suitable dish, and half its weight of finely- 
powdered litharge added, and the mixture digested at a heat of 212° to 225°, until com¬ 
plete union is effected. The resulting oleo-margarate of lead, which differs from lead 
plaster only in containing a smaller proportion of oxide of lead, is to be agitated with at 
least ten or fifteen times its weight of ether, in a bottle, until it is completely disinte¬ 
grated. The resulting liquid is transferred to a filter and closely covered; an ethereal 
solution of acid oleate of lead passes through, and a residue of acid stearate or margarate 
of lead is left on the filter. To the ethereal solution add aqueous muriatic acid as long 
as chloride of lead is precipitated ; shake thoroughly, and pour off the resulting ethereal 
solution of oleic acid, recover the ether by deflation, and the residue in the retort will 
be nearly pure oleic acid. 
To make the oleate of soda, add 2 fluid drachms of oleic acid to 1 pint of boiling 
water, and then solution of pure caustic soda very gradually, until a clear solution is 
effected, very carefully avoiding an excess of soda , and, when cold, add sufficient water 
to make the solution measure a pint, if necessary. To this standard solution of oleate 
of soda, add one-half its bulk of glycerine, and the “ suds” are ready for use in blowing 
bubbles. Y/ith a funnel about two inches in diameter, our friend has blown bubbles 
fully sixteen inches in diameter and of remarkable permanency, and so exceedingly beau¬ 
tiful and interesting, that he felt repaid for the time and trouble expended.— American 
Journal of Pharmacy. 
ARMITAGE v. BORDASS.—DISMISSAL OF ASSISTANT BY A MONTH’S 
NOTICE. 
This # case, which may interest some of our readers, Was tried at the Driffield County 
Court, on the 16th of April. 
The question at issue was, whether the defendant, having, by letter, engaged the 
