220 gallons capacity. It is surrounded by a metal jacket capable of resisting eight atmospheres pressure, and is closed by a tight-fitting lid which closes both vessels. In the interior of the inner vessel is a cylinder to hold the grape stalks. This inner cylinder is the fermenting vessel, and it communicates with three other vessels of similar construction but only half the size, one of which is a sort of feed chamber for the fermenting vessel, while the other two act as recipients for the fermented wine. These are connected in their turn to a bottling apparatus. When the fermenting vessel is filled with wine and provided with ferment carrier, the lid is fastened down and the space between the inner and outer vessels filled with water. After about 8-10 days the wine is ready for transfer to the other two vessels mentioned above. All these apparatus are connected in such a manner that the same pressure exists in every part, so that the liquids can be transferred from one to the other without violent disturbance. The invention is employed with great advantage in the manufacture of champagne and other sparkling beverages. Wines may be bottled with the addition of grape stalk ferment and sugar without becoming turbid. The principal advantages are :

(a.) A rapid and uniform fermentation is produced in about six weeks.

(b.) Deterioration of the wine is avoided owing to the rapidity with which fermentation takes place. (c.) The operation of bottling can be performed at all seasons of the year.-H. T. P.

THIS description is taken from the Report of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue of America. The ingredients used are: Oleo oil, neutral lard, some liquid vegetable oil, as cotton-seed, sesame or peanut, butter, in the higher grades, cream and milk, together with salt, and annatto or other colouring matter.

The manufacturer of oleomargarin usually buys the refined materials in the open market. The manufacture of oleo oil is generally carried on in connexion with the large slaughter and packing houses situated in or near the principal cities. The caul and suet fats are removed from the freshly slaughtered beeves and placed in tanks filled with water at 75 to 85° F., where they remain from two to three hours before being transferred to other tanks containing iced water. By this procedure the fats are gradually deprived of their animal heat, and the danger of their becoming rancid is avoided, as would happen if the mass of fat were suddenly chilled by being placed directly in iced water. The caul, long or slaughter fat, is kept separate from the suet fat, which yields an inferior grade of oil.

A Texan steer will yield on an average 65 lb. of caul and suet fats, from which are obtained 28 lb. (43 per cent.) of oleo oil, 21 lb. (32 per cent.) of oleostearin, and 12 lb. (20 per cent.) of high-grade tallow. The chilled fat, after thorough washing from blood, is fed into hashers working at high speed, from which it issues No fat through fine sieves into the rendering tank. remains on hand longer than 14 hours, usually not more than four hours, before being rendered. The rendering tank is a steam-jacketed upright kettle of 2,000 to 5,000 lb. capacity, provided with revolving blades. Steam being let into the jacket, the hashed fat is continuously fed in, and kept in motion by the stirrer. When the tank is full, and the contents thoroughly melted, the temperature being 120° to 150° F., the fat is allowed to rest for the water and scrap to settle. The clear fat is drawn off from the top, and run into the graining or seeding cars of 400 to 600 lb. capacity. The temperature of the room in which

these cars are stored is maintained at 85° to 95° F., and the whole contents of the car will be in a semi-solid condition in from one to three days. This fat is free from all " greasy" taste. It is now taken to the press-room, kept at 70° to 80° F., where it is ladled out on a stout linen cloth, which is folded up ready for placing in the screw-press. When the press is filled, pressure is gradually applied, and the expressed oil constitutes the "oleo oil." This liquid fat is allowed to cool in barrels, and at ordinary temperature forms a soft, granular, tasteless and nearly colourless fat. The hard fat remaining in the filter bags forms the beef or oleo-stearin, which is used for making "refined lard" by the addition of cotton-seed oil, or is sold to the soap and candle maker.

The manufacture of "neutral lard" is conducted by essentially the same machinery and at about the same temperatures as for oleo oil, but only the leaf fat of freshly slaughtered hogs is used. A hog yields from 5 to 15 lb. of leaf lard, of which 100 lb. yields 90 lb. of "neutral." The screw-press is not employed to separate the stearin, but the melted fat is run directly from the rendering tank into a very strong iced brine, where it remains for 24 hours before being placed on shelves to drain. The "neutral" is a white, slightly granular, tasteless, solid fat.

The by-products of the oleo oil and neutral lard manufacture, namely, stearin, tallow, and lard, are standard merchantable articles. Only fresh and sweet fats are used, and great cleanliness is observed through all the processes. The vegetable oils employed are refined by ordinary methods, whereby a product of a light straw colour and bland taste is obtained. The butter used is always selected for its high flavour. The granular character of olev oil requires the addition of a softer fat, such as neutral lard or cotton-seed or other vegetable oil, in order to approach more closely to the consistency of butter. The proportions in which these ingredients are used vary with the season of the year, the grade desired, and the formula of the manufacturers. The charge of milk or cream, however, is the same for all grades manufactured by any particular factory, and varies from 10 to 20 per cent. The milk or cream is allowed to become slightly sour.

The mixing of the materials to form the butter substitute is conducted in a steam-jacketed churn of from 1,200 to 2,500 lb. capacity. The oleo oil and neutral lard are melted in separate vessels at 90° F. The charge of milk or cream is first run into the churn, and the paddles are kept in motion until the butter begins to form. Then the oleo oil is added and stirred, next the neutral lard, and finally the annatto to give the desired colour. The butter is either added to the churn or worked in subsequently. The temperature is carefully regulated, beginning at about 85° F. and increasing gradually to 105° F. at the end of the operation, when the whole charge has the appearance of a yellowish creamy fluid. From 20 to 90 minutes are occupied in the churning. The finished charge is run into tanks containing chopped ice and constantly stirred, or is met by a stream of iced water as it issues from the churn, the object being to give the mass a fine grain by the sudden cooling. The chilled mass is then placed on wooden trays to drain. Here the salt is added and allowed to work itself in, which generally takes from 12 to 24 hours. The salted mass is then thoroughly worked by mechanical rollers to remove the buttermilk and

water.

Oleomargarin is placed on the market either "solid packed" or in prints or rolls. Four grades are generally made, known as dairy" and "extra dairy oleomargarin," creamery," and "extra creamery butterine," the last two containing from 10 to 25 per cent. of the best creamery butter. In the lower grades from 25 to 60 per cent. of neutral lard, 20 to 50 per cent. of oleo oil, 5 to 25 per cent. of vegetable oils, and in some cases from 2 to 10 per cent. of butter, with 10 to 20 per cent. of milk or cream, are the proportions used. Some factories employ no vegetable oils in their oleomargarin, preferring to use a larger proportion of neutral lard with a small amount of butter to obtain the desired butter consistency. In the higher grades the proportions of oleo oil are reduced, the vegetable oils are discarded, and creamery butter is used to make up the charge.-G. H. B.

Preserving Green-Fodder with Carbon Bisulphide.

A. Grete. Chem. Zeit. Rep. 13, 97.

Two bricked silos (1.8 x 1.5 x 1.6 metres respectively) were filled with good clover, which was just about to bud, and two kilos. of carbon bisulphide gradually added with a hand syringe. The fodder was then covered with well fitting boards and some roofing-felt. No special pressure was applied. After six months the fodder was found to be absolutely free from mould, not a leaf being spoiled. Moreover, it had an agreeable odour, and was slightly acid. The cows took it readily and without the slightest ill-effects. An analysis also proved this means of preservation to be a good one, since almost the total crude protein substances originally present had remained unchanged. The author believes that it will be possible to prevent the fermentation of hay by carbon bisulphide, without spoiling it. periments on a large scale are being carried out, with a view of ascertaining the utility of this process.-A. R.

PATENTS.

Ex

Certain Improvements in the Manufacture of Butter, and in the better Flavouring, Colouring, and Preserving of the same, and in the Cleansing, Flavouring, Colouring, and Preservation of Rancid Butter, Margarin, and all other Artificial Butters, and Apparatus therefor. T. Adair, Belfast. Eng. Pat. 4495, March 24, 1888. 11d. IN applying this method, the cream is raised by heating, and after cooling is removed and placed in a bath of water and heated at 90°-92° F. to melt the butter globules, while it is agitated to free the butter fat from the milk. The wash-water is then separated, preferably by use of the apparatus, which forms a part of the invention (drawings of which are given), and the process of washing repeated till the wash-water shows but a very slight opalescence. The butter so obtained is uniform in texture, colour and consistence, but wit hout scent or flavour. To remedy this defect the butter is flavoured when at a temperature of 65°--80° F., in the washing process, when a few drops of any essential oil, essence, or substance imparting an agreeable odour and taste to the butter, or preferably the purified butter essence, the preparation of which is described below, is added. At this stage also a little colouring matter, e.g., annatto, may be added if needful. In order to dissolve the casein which may be present in the melted butter fat, a little "albumen solvent," caustic lime, potash, or soda, is added, preferably when the wash-water has been drawn off, and before admitting fresh water.

Rancid butter and margarin are purified in the same way, by this process of washing the melted fat. In the case of rancid butter, the "butter essence" distils off and is collected from the top of the washing vessel, the butter fat being washed finally with water at 163° F., which drives off the last remaining odour of rancid butter. It is this distillate which is used for flavouring the fresh butter fat.

A press has also been devised for expelling the last of the water from the butter fat when cold, and consists essentially of a screw-press, with a compartment round it for maintaining the butter at a desired temperature while pressing, that recommended being 56°-57° F. From the bottom of the press a series of needles pass automatically upwards into the butter, which opens it so as to facilitate the expulsion of the last portions of water from the butter. -J. W. L.

Process for drying Organic Substances such as Potatoes and other Roots or Fruits. O. Imray, London. From G. Richter, Falkenberg, Germany. Eng. Pat. 6734, May 5, 1888. 6d.

THE potatoes, turnips, kohlrabi, or other produce, are peeled, then steamed, or boiled on a perforated sieve, the water is then run off, and the vessel exhausted of air until the potatoes, &c. cool down to 18° C.-J. M. H. M.

Treating Dangway Beans (Cassia tora, Cassia Occidentalis) as a substitute for Coffee. Sir E. B. Sladen, London, R. McLeod and C. H. White, Burmah. Eng. Pat. 15,364, October 25, 1888. 4d.

THE seeds of Cassia tora or C. occidentalis, abundant in British Burmah, are ground and roasted and used like coffee.-J. M. H. M.

(B)-SANITARY CHEMISTRY. Metropolitan Main Drainage. Sir H. E. Roscoe. Reports to the Metropolitan Board of Works.

1. Deodorisation of Metropolitan Sewage at the Outfalls. -In this report the proceedings taken in 1888 are recorded Deodorisation was commenced at both outfalls, Crossness and Barking, May 7th, by the addition of 3 grains of bleaching powder to the gallon of effluent sewage, and continued until the stock of that material in hand (839 tons) was exhausted. After May 24th, at the northern outfall, and June 17th at the southern outfall, manganate of soda, in the same proportion, was added until July 11th, the weight used being 1,178 tons. The low temperature of the river water and the heavy rainfall had at that date materially improved the condition of the river. Deodorisation was resumed on July 16th, and continued until October 13th, 893 tons of manganate of soda having been used to deodorise about 52 million gallons of crude sewage discharged daily on the flood tide.

The value of the chemicals used in 1888 was 24,3577., as compared with 42,467. in 1887, a saving of 18,1107. (including a saving of 4,8501. due to reduction on the contract price of manganate of soda), whilst in 1887 a saving was effected of 38,6041. over the previous year. Thus the expenditure in 1888 as compared with the expenditure in 1886 shows a reduction of 56,700. in this item of chemicals, without apparent deterioration of the river.

The use of manganate of soda without the addition of sulphuric acid in the proposed proportions was found not less effective on the putrescent matters of the sewage.

One

Concerning the effect of the manganate of soda on the general state of the river the author expresses the opinion that no amount of chemicals which can with any show of reason be added is sufficient, or nearly sufficient, to convert the whole of the fecal matter into harmless forms. gallon of pure river water contains nearly four times as much oxygen as that supplied by three grains of manganate of soda (25 per cent.). The oxygen in the manganate is immediately consumed, both in removing the putrescent odour of the sewage and in preparing a condition of things favourable for starting a process of natural oxidation. This latter, however, involves the further supply of free oxygen, and this the river is called upon to contribute, inasmuch as the deodorised sewage contains none. Hence we can hardly look to the addition of the above quantities of chemicals for any improvement in the general condition of the river; rather must we seek for this improvement in some process of effluent aëration.

The purification of the river is chiefly effected by living organisms requiring free oxygen for their growth. These may be said to effect the changes generally ascribed to animal life. But other organisms of a vegetable character, such as algæ, &c., are always present in river water. These evolve oxygen during their life, and they are also potent instruments in the natural purification of the river; indeed, they are capable of oxygenating the water far above its normal amount, and thus aiding in supporting the life and growth of the former class of organisms. Both forms, therefore, assist each other in ridding the water of dead organic matter, both soluble and insoluble, and thereby bringing it into a healthy condition.

The author was not consulted as to the methods of chemical precipitation proposed to be used on a large scale, both at Barking and Crossness. If this can advantageously be adopted for the whole of the sewage of the Metropolis, and if, moreover, it should be proved practicable to carry out the whole of the sludge to sea, the author still leans to

the opinion, looking to the question of the permanent disposal of the sewage, that the sewage, whether previously clarified or not, must either be filtered through land, or discharged into the estuary at a point not higher than the sea reach.

The determination of dissolved oxygen in the river water, by a modification of Schützenberger's method as described by Dupré, is re-investigated by the author, who finds the source of error in the method is owing to the fact that when aërated water is introduced into an atmosphere of hydrogen (a necessary part of the process), the dissolved oxygen diffuses into that gas, and only a portion of the original oxygen is estimated. This portion is variable, and depends on the amount of exposure of the water to hydrogen gas, so that slight differences in the duration of an experiment may cause serious errors in the result. A method has been devised by which this error has been eliminated. This depends on the introduction of the water to be examined beneath the surface of a liquid containing a measured quantity of hyposulphite of soda, and a little reduced indigo carmine as an indicator. Diagrams are given showing, in the form of curves, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the river water at Crossness at different periods of the year; the changes in the volume of fresh water coming into the river, as indicated by the quantity of sea salt present at low tide, the temperature, and the rainfall, and the conclusions adduced therefrom considered.

2. The Chemical Examination of the Foreshores and Mud Deposits of the River Thames and its Estuary.-It appeared to be of great importance in view of the proposal to carry the sludge out to sea, and of questions which may arise thereon, to be in possession of scientific data as to the condition of the foreshores of the Thames, from Barking down the river, to the mouth, including the whole of the estuary.

Samples of mud were collected at points where, in consequence of the set of tides, sewage sludge would, in the engineer's opinion, be most likely deposited on the foreshores and banks; and from Clacton, Walton-on-the-Naze, and Harwich, as positions which, in the judgment of competent persons, were those where sewage sludge would be found if it were discharged at sea, and should it then reach the shore. The investigation was made, with the assistance of F. Scudder, in September and October 1888. The samples divide themselves into two classes. First, those collected on the foreshores of the river proper, from Barking and Crossness down to Southend on the north, and Jenkin Sand on the south. Second, those on the estuary from Shoeburyness to Harwich on the north, and from Warden Point to Margate on the south, including two sandbanks known as "Little Sunk" and "Gunfleet."

The Royal Commission stated a conclusion "that foul mud, partly composed of sewage matter, accumulates at Erith and elsewhere, and adheres to nets, anchors, and other objects dropped into it." This conclusion is also borne out by the well-known appearance of black patches of offensive matter in the river, which are at times raised to the surface. These are, without doubt, derived from sewage sludge which has settled down in the bed of the river and undergone putrefaction, whereby gases are evolved, which become entangled with the material and raise it to the surface. Analyses of 59 samples of the mud and deposits collected from the foreshore of sections of the river of considerable length were made, the average composition of which indicates that a gradual diminution occurs in the impurity of such deposits from the outfalls downwards. The reliability of four different means adopted for ascertaining the existence of sewage impurity in the deposits is considered in detail. These were:-1. The volatile matter. 2. The oxygen absorbed from potassium permanganate. 3. Percentage of nitrogen. 4. Phosphoric acid. The conclusion obtained from a comparison of all the numbers taken together is of distinct value as enabling one to obtain a general view of the relative chemical condition of the foreshores ; and a table has been constructed to show the average relative amount of the organic impurity in various sections of the river and of the estuary. Taking the total values or average impurity of section 1 as 100, that of section 2 is 90, that of section 3 is 49, that of section 4 is

16, there being a total percentage loss of impurity in passing from the outfalls to Southend of 84 per cent. As a further proof that sewage impurity exists in the river deposits, the presence of manganese was detected in 8 out of 11 samples taken between Crossness and Erith, the manganese being derived from the manganate of soda which is added to deodorise the sewage before being discharged into the river at the outfalls.

The conclusions arrived at from the chemical examination are in the main borne out by the independent microscopical evidence obtained by the Board's chemist, which forms part of the appendix to the report. A large amount of detailed information is set out in tabular appendices, accompanied by a sketch map of the Thames and its estuary, on which is indicated, in the first place, the approximate position at which the samples were collected. Secondly, the four sections into which the river as far as Southend has been divided, with the relative amount of impurity in each section. Thirdly, a comparison of the purest sample from the sandbank "Little Sunk" (taken as the unit) with those collected at other points in the estuary, and also with the averages of the four sections of the river.

3. Deodorisation of Sewer Emanations and on Sewer Ventilation. In a previous report (June 16, 1888), the author directed special attention to the necessity of ventilating the sewers, and to the advisability of removing all obstructions from the ventilators, thereby more fully utilising the available means of ventilation at command, and further called attention to the desirability of utilising a system of pipe ventilation in aid of surface ventilation. The total number of charcoal boxes or other obstructions to ventilation removed was 473.

In this report the author states "that in spite of the fact that all obstructions to the escape of sewer emanations have been removed, the number of complaints made during the past year in consequence of such removals was only 52, and those of ventilators which had always been opened were 35, as compared with 43 from open ventilators in 1887. These numbers, considering the large area covered by the Board's sewers, may be regarded as inconsiderable. Moreover, the majority of the complaints arise from districts in which noxious trades are carried on, whilst in purely residential districts few complaints occur. Many of these complaints have reference to the same ventilator, so that instead of there being 87 separate ventilators complained of, the actual number was 49. The system of pipe ventilation has been carried out to some extent. There is, however, a difficulty in obtaining in many cases the consent of the property owner to allow these pipes to be carried up the side of the premises, and it appears desirable that Parliamentary powers for this purpose should be obtained.

Experiments with liquid sulphurous anhydride used in the form of apparatus supplied by Messrs. Boake, Roberts and Company have been satisfactorily carried out in deodorising the emanations in the sewers on the Chelsea Embankment. They have shown that when it is desirable to deodorise the air in a sewer rapidly, the apparatus works well, and in such cases its adoption is strongly recommended.

The author is in accord with those who desire to see the general condition of house drains placed under public inspection, so that as the landlord is responsible for the structural safety, so ought he to be for the sanitary safety.

-F. S.

even

The Action of Artificial Colours on the Animal Organism.
T. Weyl. Ber. 21, 2191.
Naphthol Green B. (Casella and Co.) is innocent,
in the stomach.
Manchester or Martius Yellow can be resisted by rabbits
but is poisonous for dogs.

Naphthol Yellow S. is non-poisonous.
The Safranines are poisonous.

The Azo Colours. No azo colour has been observed to be poisonous.

Picric Acid, belongs to a group of poisonous nitro-colouring matters, as has been known for a long time.

Aurantia is poisonous and injurious to the skin of certain individuals, if indeed this selective action is not merely apparent and the difference really due to the appearance in the trade of two isomeric hexanitrodiphenylamines, the one like that prepared by the Actiengesellschaft für Anilin fabrication in Berlin, being non-poisonous to rabbits, the other, like that prepared in Basel, been excessively injurious to the human subject.-W. S.

(C)-DISINFECTANTS, &c.

PATENTS.

Improved Means and Method of Precipitating and Disinfecting Sewage Matter. G. W. Bremner, London. Eng. Pat. 5861, April 19, 1888. 6d.

THE sewage is mixed with a precipitant as it flows into the tanks and is there charged with compressed air or oxygen alone or mixed with other gases, by air compressors and distributors; the tanks may have covers with ventilating shafts. The precipitants mentioned are the " Piombina " and "Terra Gallia "found amongs the volcanic débris of Mount Vesuvius, phosphate of alumina, lithomarge and other ferruginous substances, dissolved in hydrochloric, sulphuric, or nitric acid; manganese preparations of potash or soda; bleaching powder, black ash, chlorides or sulphates of potash, sulphates of soda. The phosphate of alumina may be prepared according to Eng. Pat. 13,761 of 1885. The sludge is pressed, dusted with some of the above materials in a dry form, to prevent loss of ammonia and to absorb moisture, and ground for manure.-J. M. H. M.

Improvements in Sanitary Materials or Preparations for Preventing the Decomposition and Deterioration of Sizes, and Similar Finishes for Fabrics and the like, and for Preventing the Access of Infectious Diseases. R. Hannan, Glasgow. Eng. Pat. 3159, February 22, 1889. 4d. QUADRIBORATE of soda" (about 40 parts) and salicylate of soda (about 1 part) are mixed with 1,000 parts of solid gelatin, size or the like, and dissolved for use in sizing, the object being to prevent the mildewing of the materials, and also to disinfect such bodies as are in contact with the sized material.-J. W. L.

An Improved Insect Destroying Compound, and Method of preparing same. A. M. Clark, London. From E. Bean, Jacksonville, U.S.A. Eng. Pat. 3470, February 26, 1889. 4d.

CAUSTIC lime is slaked with water, and while slaking, powdered sulphur is added, the latter combining with the lime and forming a compound soluble in water.

About 2 lb. of sulphur are added to 8-10 lb. of lime, and the mixture finally made up with 100 gallons of water. It is applied to plants and trees for the purpose of destroying insects.--J. W. L.

Improvements in Blotting Paper, and in the Manufacture of the same. J. Hawke, New Barnet. Eng. Pat. 4768, March 28, 1888. 6d.

THE inventor claims the incorporating or combining of salts of iron or sodium with the pulp, from which blotting paper is to be made, or the impregnating of the manufactured paper with solutions of the above, whereby the efficiency is increased.-E. J. B.

Improvements in the Construction of Apparatus for making
Kisulphites or other Compounds used in the Treatment of
Wood Pulp or other Fibrous Materials, and the like.
I. S. and J. T. McDougall, R. K. Hartley, and T. Sugden,
Oldham. Eng. Pat. 7060, May 11, 1888. 11d.
See under VII., page 392.

An Improved Process of Preparing or Treating Vegetable Fibrous Material for Obtaining Fibre therefrom. J. Mactear, Westminster. Eng. Pat. 12,682, September 3, 1888. 6d.

THIS invention consists essentially in submitting the fibrous material, such as flax, hemp, jute, rhea, &c., to the action of ammonia in presence of sodium or potassium hydrate, carbonate or borate. The solution is heated and kept in circulation by means of live steam. The action of the alkaline liquid is aided by a current of electricity sufficient to decompose water, the evolved gases acting on the gummy matter of the fibres in such a way as to loosen and destroy it.-E. J. B.

XX.-FINE CHEMICALS, ALKALOIDS,
ESSENCES AND EXTRACTS.

The Chemical Composition and Toxic Action of Urechitis
Suberecta. M. Egasse. Nouv. Rem. 1888, 555.

FROM Apocynee Urechitis Suberecta occurring in Jamaica, Bowrey isolated a crystalline and very poisonous glucoside urechitine, CH420, also a body resembling the glucosides termed urechitoxin, CH0O5, equally poisonous. Minkiewicz also found a resinous acid, smelling like vanillin. This acid kills cats in doses of 006-001 grm. per kilo. of animal weight, though no remarkable change was noticed in the dead body by autopsy. Solutions containing 002 per cent. of the glucoside contract the vessels of warm-blooded animals. Both the glucoside and the resinous acid are true heart-poisons. They are antidotes for curare, and closely resemble strophantus.

-A. R.

On a- and y-Chloro-aceto-acetic Ethers. An Attempt to prepare Citric Acid Synthetically. A Haller and A. Held. Compt. Rend. 108, 516-518.

By the action of chlorine on aceto-acetic ether both the a- and y-chloro-aceto-acetic ethers are produced. The latter is best obtained by passing dry chlorine into well cooled aceto-acetic ether contained in a broad vessel. The 3-4 cm. in the liquid. Chlorine is rapidly absorbed, and delivery tube should only be immersed to the extent of after about half an hour the weight of the ether has increased by 30 per cent., as required theoretically. The product is washed and rectified. The portion boiling at 1880-1890 contains the most mono-chloro-derivative; a dichloro-derivative is found in the fraction boiling from 195-200°. By treating the former with potassium cyanide,

a mixture of the y-chloro-derivative with a small quantity of the a-derivative is obtained. The product resulting from the action of the cyanide is dissolved in alcohol saturated with hydrochloric acid. When all the ammonium chloride has separated, the ether is treated with hydrocyanic acid, and then again with alcoholic hydrochloric acid. Finally an oil is obtained which distils in vacuo at about 200°. This after saponification yields a substance which has the characteristic property of citric acid, viz., the solution of its lime salt becomes turbid on heating and clear again on cooling.

-A. R.

On the Physiological and Therapeutic Action of o-Methylacetanilide. Dujardin-Beaumetz and G. Bardet. Compt. Rend. 108, 571–572.

THE O-methyl derivative of acetanilide known as "Exalgine" melts at 101°, is slightly soluble in warm water, very soluble in water to which a little alcohol has been added. Rabbits are killed by administering 0.46 grm. per kilo. of animal weight. In non-toxic doses it acts as an anesthetic, and there is a progressive lowering of the temperature of the body. Compared with antipyrine, its action seems more thorough as an anæsthetic, and less so as an antipyretic. Quantities of about 0·5 grm. have very marked pain-killing effects in all cases of neuralgia. Hitherto its administration has not been followed by any of the unfavourable symptoms attending the use of antipyrine and acetanilide, with one exception. It eventually passes into the urine, and in cases of diabetes diminishes both the quantity of the urine as well as that of the sugar. 66 Exalgine" as an anodyne is superior to antipyrine. In conclusion, the authors briefly allude to the relations existing between chemical constitution and physiological and therapeutic effects of the various febrifuges. They ascribe antiseptic action to bodies of a phenolic nature (phenol, naphthol); febrifuges are nearly all amido derivatives, and finally anodynes are usually amido derivatives, in which one atom of hydrogen is replaced by a radical of the fatty series, notably methyl (e.g., in antipyrine, acetphenetidine, exalgine).-A. R.

Hydrastin. M. Freund. Ber. 22, 456–459.

THE author has formerly (Ber. 20, 2400; this Journal, 1887, 381, 449, and 641) shown that hydrastinine, the decomposition product of hydrastin, when treated with potash, yields hydrohydrastinine, which is reconverted into hydrastinine by gentle oxidation. By oxidation with potassium permanganate in alkaline solution hydrastinine is converted into oxyhydrastinine. These reactions show that hydrohydrastinine, hydrastinine, and oxyhydrastinine bear the same relation to each other as an alcohol and its corresponding aldehyde and acid.

The behavicur of cotarnine with alkalis has also been investigated. The reaction does not proceed so smoothly as in the case of hydrastinine. The author has also failed to convert cotarnine by oxidation into a product of higher oxidation. Further experiments are in progress, however, in this direction.

On boiling together hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and hydrastinine in alcoholic solution, the corresponding oxime is obtained as chloride in beautiful crystalline plates. The hydrochloride is easily soluble in water; ammonia and sodium carbonate precipitate the free base; free alkalis in excess dissolve the base. It crystallises from alcohol iu white needles, melting at 145°-146° C. Its composition is C10H12NO2CH: NOH. The platinum salt (CHINO CI), PtCl forms as a crystalline precipitate on mixing solutions of the hydrochloride and platinum chloride.

Hydrastinine hydriodide is formed by boiling hydrastinine with fuming hydriodic acid, or by precipitating hydrastinine hydrochloride with a solution of iodine in potassium iodide. It separates from dilute alcohol in splendid brown needles. Melting point, 132°-134° C. Dibromohydrastinine, obtained by the action of bromine vapour on hydrohydrastinine hydrobromide, crystallises from water in white, broad needles, melting at about 280° C. It is most probably a derivative of hydrastinine, of the formula C1H,Br2NO2.

Some time ago the author, in conjunction with W. Will (Ber. 19, 2802; this Journal, 1886, 677), described a neutral body obtained in small quantity from the root of Hydrastis canadensis. Further analyses have proved it to be meconin. The body obtained by the action of nitric acid on it is nitro-meconin.-H. T. P.

Constitution of Filicic Acid. E. Paternó. Ber. 22,

16

463-465.

DACCOMO (Ber. 21, 2970), who investigated filicic acid and a number of its derivatives, came to the conclusion that this acid is isobutyrylhydroxynaphthoquinone and its composition CHO. He prepared and analysed a compound C1HO(CHN2H), by boiling the acid with phenyl hydrazine in ethereal solution. On treating an alkaline solution of the acid with zinc dust in the cold he obtained a yellow oil which rapidly oxidised and turned red on exposure to the air. The yellow oil he considered to be a reduction compound of filicic acid, probably C14H2O5, and from an analysis of the barium salt of the red oxidation product he assigned to the latter the composition C1HO

The author severely criticises Daccomo's experimental results and theoretical conclusions. He points out that the composition of isobutyrylhydroxynaphthoquinone, which would be a neutral compound, is CH12O4, and draws attention to the fact that a hydroxynaphthoquinone or hydroxyhydronaphthoquinone derivative, which according to Daccomo takes up six atoms of hydrogen, would not be reduced so easily.

THIS paper is a supplement to a paper published four years ago by O. Fischer and E. Täuber (Ber. 18, 400) concerning the alkaloids of Peganum harmala. By the oxidation of harmine, a dibasic acid (C10H,N2O4) was obtained, from which, by separation of carbon dioxide, a base (CHN) resulted. Harmine takes up four atoms of hydrogen when treated with sodium and alcohol, and is converted into tetrahydroharmine. The latter substance forms interlaced needles, melting at 199° C. Its solution exhibits a faint bluish-green fluorescence, which is rendered more green by oxidising agents, such as ferric chloride or silver nitrate. A tetrabromoharmine, C13H12N2OBr4, has been formed. Sulphurous acid removes the bromine from this addition product. Alkaline carbonates have the same effect on warming, and even boiling alcohol reconverts the substance into harmine. Harmaline yields on reduction with sodium or zinc dust the same final product as harmine, namely, tetrahydroharmine. Harmalol is obtained as hydrochloride by the action of hydrochloric acid on harmaline. Harmine oxidised in glacial acetic acid solution with chromic acid yields harminic acid, C10H8N2O4. Harminic acid is also obtained from harmaline by a similar process. Harmine is produced by the partial oxidation of harmaline. Harminic acid yields on heating a beautiful crystalline base, apo harmine (CHN). Harmolic acid, C12H10N2O5, is produced by the fusion of harmol with caustic potash. It crystallises from hot water in small needles, which melt at 246°-247° C. with decomposition.

Many attempts were made to synthesise apoharmine or hydroapoharmine, but without success, nor are these substances identical with any known bodies of the same percentage composition, as for example Merz and Ris's tetrahydroquinoxaline, which not only possesses the same composition as dihydroapoharmine, but similar properties. (Ber. 20, 1190.)—Ĥ. T. P.