Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  ) 
Mar.  1876.  J 
Varieties. 
l3S 
amined  this  subject,  conclude  that  the  three  equivalents  of"  base  successively  united 
with  phosphoric  acid  are  combined  in  different  manners,  the  first  being  comparable 
to  the  base  of  the  nitrates  and  chlorates,  the  second  to  that  of  the  carbonates  and 
borates,  and  the  third  to  the  base  of  the  alkaline  alcoholates. — Chem..  Nevus,  Dec. 
3i,  1875. 
Constitution  of  the  Phosphates.  By  MM.  Berthelot  and  Louguinine. — In 
this  memoir  the  authors  examine  the  formation  of  an  insoluble  phosphate,  that  of 
baryta  ;  they  undertake  an  alkalimetrical  study  of  phosphoric  acid  ;  and,  finally, 
they  seek  to  define  the  displacements  and  reciprocal  distribution  of  an  alkaline  base 
among  phosphoric  acid  and  the  nitric,  hydrochloric  and  acetic  acids.  They  con- 
clude that  phosphoric  acid  is  not  a  tribasic  acid  of  the  same  kind  as  citric  acid,  as 
the  third  equivalent  of  a  soluble  base  is  separated  from  phosphoric  acid  by  the 
feeblest  actions,  and  even  by  dilution.  With  ammonia  it  happens  that  the  third 
basic  equivalent  does  not  combine  with  phosphoric  acid,  or  if  it  combines  at  first  it 
does  not  remain  definitely  united  to  the  acid,  but  is  gradually  separated  spontane- 
ously and  completely.  Neither  is  phosphoric  acid  a  bibasic  acid  in  the  same  sense 
as  are  the  sulphuric,  oxalic  or  tartaric  acids.  The  second  base,  as  alkalimetrical 
operations  show,  is  not  neutralized  by  phosphoric  acid,  and  is  entirely  separated 
by  the  hydrochloric  and  nitric  acids,  and  gives  indications  of  division  even  with 
acetic  acid.  In  short,  the  three  equivalents  of  base  united  in  the  phosphates  con- 
sidered as  normal,  are  combined  in  different  and  unequal  manners.  Phosphoric 
acid  must  be  regarded  as  a  monobasic  acid  of  a  mixed  function. — Chem.  Nevus.,  Jan. 
7,  from  Compt.  Rend. 
American 
Quicksilver. - 
-Mr.  J.  B.  Randol,  General  Manager 
,  gives  the  pro- 
duction  of  the 
New  Almaden 
mine  for  th 
e  year  1875,  in  flasks  of  7 
6\  lbs.  each,  as 
ollows  : 
Months. 
Flasks. 
Months. 
Flasks- 
January, 
850 
July, 
1,220 
February, 
800 
August, 
1,100 
March, 
1,033 
September, 
1,20-0 
April, 
850 
October, 
1,250 
May, 
1,095 
November, 
1,700 
June, 
1,050 
December, 
1,500 
Total, 
13,648 
The  total  product  of  the  mine  for  1874  was  9,084  flasks,  making  the  increase 
this  year  4,564  flasks,  or  nearly  50  per  cent. — Scientific  American,  Feb.  26,  1876. 
Constituents  of  Wood-tar  Creasote.  By  Ferd.  Tiemann  and  Benno  Men- 
delsohn.— The  portion  of  Rhenish  wood- tar  creasote  boiling  at  2000 — 2300,  was 
dissolved  in  ether  and  the  solution  agitated  with  potash.  The  aqueous  liquid,  after 
separation  from  the  ether,  was  acidified,  and  the  oil  thereby  liberated  was  separated 
by  fractional  distillation  into  two  portions  boiling  at  1950 — 2120  and  2170 — 226° 
respectively.    The  latter  consisted  of  phlorol  and  creosol. 
Methylcreosol  {Dimethylhomopyrocatechin). — This  body  was  obtained  thus:  The 
