MISCELLANY. 
Iodal. — M. Aime has described a new compound, which he considers 
as analogous to chloral, and which should be called iodal, because iodine 
plays the same part in it as chlorine does in chloral. 
This product is obtained by causing iodine to act in the cold upon 
nitric alcohol; leaving the liquor to itself, the iodine disappears at the end 
of some days, and is replaced by a liquid heavier than water, and of a red 
color. This color, which is due to an excess of iodine, finally disappears. 
The iodal is thus obtained nearly pure ; it contains only a little nitric 
alcohol and nitrous ether, from which, however, it is easy to free it. 
This body, in its pure state, is almost without color ; its taste is sweet, 
and its smell somewhat ethereal. Thrown upon burning charcoal, it 
gives off thick white fumes, which greatly irritate the eyes. Sulphuric 
acid decomposes it. The alkalies convert it into iodides. 
Journ. de Chimie Med. 
Iron converted into Plumbago by sea water. — M. Eudes Deslongchamps 
has found that iron, on exposure to sea water, is converted into plum- 
bago or carburet of iron, and has proved this fact by exhibiting to the 
Linnean Society, of Normandy, cannon balls gathered near St. Waast la 
Hogue, which were there deposited in consequence of a naval combat 
fought by Admiral Tourvijle, in 1692. These balls, which in form 
and size did not appear to have undergone any alteration, had lost more 
than two-thirds of their weight, and could be cut by a knife like a 
crayon ; they contained no iron in a metallic state, and did not act on the 
magnetic needle. Ibid. 
Iodine in the mineral kingdom. — M. Del Rio has discovered a new combi- 
nation of iodine with the metals. On examining some specimens of 
seleniuret of mercury, deposited at the School of Mines, of Mexico, by 
M. J. Casas Vrejas, of the state of Querataro, he observed spots of a 
brownish red color, which, treated by heat, gave the same characters as 
artificial iodide of mercury. This eminent person has likewise learned 
that there is found in the same gangue the iodide and seleniuret of mer- 
cury. Ibid. 
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