March 1, 1873.] 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
G95 
well-directed experiments upon Prussian l)lue, the origin 
■of which is described (1782) by the author in the follow¬ 
ing terms: “ Towards the beginning of the present cen¬ 
tury Mr. Dieshach, a manufacturer of colours at Berlin, 
with the assistance of Dr. Dippel, accidentally dis¬ 
covered the blue colour, since called Berlin or Prussian 
blue. They kept this preparation with great secrecy, 
till Woodward published the whole process in 1724.” 
The source of the colouring matter was, in the first 
instance, and long after, a solution of the ashes of blood, 
or, as it was called, lixivium sanguinis. 
Scheele, in the course of his inquiries, soon found that, 
although the lixivium underwent rapid change when 
kept, the addition of vitriolated iron in some manner 
fixed the colouring matter in the lixivium so that it re¬ 
tained the power of furnishing, with a solution of iron, 
Prussian blue. 
He also foimd out that the colouring matter, for this 
was the name he applied to the prussic acid, was volatile 
and inflammable. The wonder is that he did not expe¬ 
rience its poisonous action. He made a great many ex¬ 
periments with the view to discover the constituent parts 
of his colouring matter, and not altogether without suc¬ 
cess. At one time he was disposed to believe that it was 
a compound of volatile alkali and an oily substance. 
This view, however, he afterwards modified, as he could 
■obtain no oil from it, neither could he produce the colour 
from fatty substances. But he retained the belief that 
volatile alkali had something to do with it, and here he 
was quite right, modern chemistry having taught us not 
•only the relationship which connects the two, but also 
how ammonia may be transformed direct into hydro¬ 
cyanic acid. 
No account, however meagre, of Scheele’s labours 
could be fairly undertaken without, at least, passing al¬ 
lusion to two discoveries which, from a practical point of 
view, present the highest interest. These are the dis¬ 
covery of the “New Green Pigment” (1778), ever since 
called Scheele’s green, and of glycerine, which he pre¬ 
pared from oils and fats by a process which is carried on 
up to the present time almost precisely as described by 
Scheele in 1784. 
In conclusion it was pointed out that Scheele was 
essentially an experimenter, and meddled very little 
•with theory. In the opinion of the lecturer the more 
diligent cultivation of experiment is the one thing needful 
in the chemistry of the present time. 
[The lecture was illustrated by appropriate experi¬ 
ments.] 
LEICESTER CHEMISTS’ ASSISTANTS AND 
APPRENTICES’ ASSOCIATION. 
The ninth session of the above association was opened 
on Thui-sday, Febuary 13th, with a lecture by E. 
H 1 . Mott, Esq., F.R.G.S., on “ The Classification of 
Plants;” Mr. F. Parsons, pharmaceutical chemist, in 
the chair. The lecture, which was of a very interesting 
and exhaustive character, was illustrated with various 
•coloured diagrams, and was listened to with marked at¬ 
tention. The lecturer described the .different systems 
of classification originated by Ray, Jussieu and Linnaeus; 
and in remarking upon their various merits, expressed 
an opinion that the system now usually adopted is open 
to many objections, as to whether it can be a truly na¬ 
tural arrangement. In connection with the classifica¬ 
tion, the geographical distribution of plants, was also 
mentioned, and an outline of the manner in which groups 
•of species are distributed in various parts oi the World 
given. 
At the conclusion, a very hearty vote of thanks was 
.given to the lecturer, who briefly responded. The usual 
vote of thanks to the chairman having been passed, the 
meeting terminated. 
SHEFFIELD PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHE¬ 
MICAL ASSOCIATION. 
The monthly meeting was held on Wednesday, 19th 
February, when a lecture was delivered by Mr. W. 
W r ard, F.C.S., President, “ On Potassium and some of 
its Formations.” The lecture, which was well delivered 
and profusely illustrated by capital experiments, was 
listened to with great attention, and at its close a cordial 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Ward. The attend¬ 
ance was not so satisfactory as the Council wish it to be; 
and this was the subject of serious comment at the close 
of the lecture, it being felt to be injurious to the best 
interests of the Society if these meetings are not .well 
attended. The election of two gentlemen as associates- 
concluded the business. 
MANCHESTER CHEMISTS’ ASSISTANTS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
The ninth ordinary meeting of the session was held 
on Monday evening in the class-room, 37, Blackfriars 
Street; the President in the chair. Mr. Pidd read an 
interesting paper “ On the Alkalies and their Tests.” 
The remaining part of the evening was taken up with a 
discussion on the poison regulations. 
Ijwxtftap fif JininMc isractics, 
CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 
Thursday, 20th February, 1873; Dr. Frankland, 
F.R.S., President, in the chair. 
The first paper read, after the usual business of the 
society had been transacted, was entitled “ Solidification 
of Nitrous Oxide,” by Mr. T. Wills.. The gas, having- 
been previously liquefied by compression in a strong iron 
vessel, can he caused to solidify by the rapid evaporation 
of the liquid in a current of air. It somewhat resembles 
solid carbonic acid in appearance. 
A paper “ On Aurin,” by R. S. Dale, B.A., and C. 
Schorlemmer, F.R.S., was then read, giving an.account 
of the author’s investigation of the composition and 
chemical properties of this dye. “ Researches on the 
action of the copper-zinc couple on organic bodies. I. on 
iodide of ethyl,” by J. H. Gladstone, F.R.S., and A. 
Tribe, was read by Dr. Gladstone ; and the last communi¬ 
cation, “ On the determination of ammonia in the atmo¬ 
sphere,” was read by the author, Mr. A. H. Sm.ee, jun. 
The method employed is to collect and examine the 
moisture condensed from the atmosphere on the external 
surface of a suitable glass vessel filled with ice. The 
lecture was illustrated by carefully made drawings ot 
the magnified crystalline forms which are left on evapo¬ 
rating the liquid. The meeting finally adjourned until 
Thursday, 6th March, when papers will be read “On the 
action of hydi-ochloric acid in codeine,” by Dr. C. R. A. 
Wright; “ New process for mercury estimation, with 
some observations on mercury salts,” by P. Hannay; 
“ On a method of estimating nitric acid,” by T. E. 
Thorpe; and a “ Note on the action oi acetates upon 
solutions of plumbic salts, with remarks on the solubility 
of plumbic chloride,” by F. Field. 
parliamentary anii fate fmettegs. 
PROSECUTIONS FOR ADULTERATION IN THE ISLE OF MAN. 
A short time since a series of prosecutions were insti¬ 
tuted under the Manx Adulteration Act, w r hen several of 
the most respectable merchants in Douglas were fined in 
small sums for selling brandy of a less strength than 
seventeen degrees under proof, the Manx Act providing 
that any spirit so sold shall be considered for the pur- 
