Natural-Philosophical Collections. AGi 
The quantity of salts manufactured by M. Pelletier exceeds fifteen hundred 
weights ; and they are of such a superior quality that they might be taken for our 
Epsom salts. 
M. Serullas’ Researches on Iodic Acid.—M. Serullas has discovered a pro- 
cess, by which iodic acid may be obtained in abundance, and well crystallized. 
He treats a solution of iodate of soda with an excess of sulphuric acid. The 
mixture, left to spontaneous evaporation, yields, in a short time, crystals of pure 
iodic acid. ‘The sulphate of potassa which has-been formed, and the excess of 
sulphuric acid, remain in solution. : 
M. Serullas has been led, by his researches, to perceive that the double acids 
named by Davy, iodo-sulphuric, iodo-nitric, and iodo-phosphoric acid, do not 
exist.—Le Globe. 
Discovery of the Metallic Bases of Glucina and of Magnesia.—At a meeting 
of the Academy of Sciences, on the 25th January last, M. Bussy requested that 
a sealed packet, which he had sent in on the 4th August 1828, might be opened. 
He stated that it contained the chloruret of glucinium and metallic glucinium, 
obtained by the decomposition of the chloruret, by a process analogous to that by 
which M. Wolher produced the base of magnesia. 
M. Bussy, at the same time, announced that he has obtained magnesium, the 
metallic base of magnesia. - He exhibited a specimen of this metal, which pos- 
sesses the following properties : it is brilliant, and of a silvery whiteness ; perfectly 
ductile and malleable ; fusible at a temperature of moderate elevation ; suscepti- 
ble, like zinc, of volatilization at a heat a little above the point of fusion; and 
condenses, like the same metal, in the form of small globules. It does not dee 
compose water at the ordinary temperature ; it becomes oxidized at a high teme 
perature, and is slowly transformed into magnesia when it is in rather large pieces ; 
but when it is in a fine dust, it burns with much brilliancy, sending forth sparks 
like iron in oxygen gas. 
M. Bussy thinks that magnesium might be made useful in the arts ; and he is 
now engaged in seeking for means of preparing it in a simple manner, and at 
slight expense.—Jbid. 
Preparation of Urea, by M. Henry.—Let a slight excess of the subacetate 
or the hydrate of lead be added to recent urine ; a precipitate will fall, which will 
contain salts formed by the union of the acids in the urine with oxide of lead, 
and also a combination of the mucus and animal matter present with the hydrate 
or subsalt used. 
The clear fluid is to be acted upon by diluted sulphuric acid, added until in 
slight excess, to separate the lead present, and to act, during the future evapora- 
tion, upon the acetates of soda and lime which may be formed. The liquid is 
again to be freed from the precipitate, and quickly evaporated, animal charcoal 
being added to it during the ebullition. When clear, the fluid is to be strained 
through a fine cloth, and concentrated to one-third of its bulk; on cooling, it 
will probably become a yellowish acicular crystalline mass, consisting of much 
urea and some salts. The crystals, when drained and pressed, are to be added to 
those produced by evaporating the mother water, also similarly treated ; being 
thus freed from the brown viscid matter which previously accompanied them, 
they are to be treated with a small quantity of carbonate of soda, to decompose 
any acetate of lime which may remain, and then are to be digested in alcohol. 
The solution, filtered and distilled, leaves urea, which may be recrystallized by 
solution in water and evaporation.—Journ. de Pharmacie. 

