New Method of Dyeing Ombres. (Yarns dyed in steps with shades of the same colour progressively darker and darker.) The beck is arranged for the lightest shade, and the yarns are dyed in the ordinary manner. Part of the liquor is then let off, so that its level may read to the point where the next darker shade is to begin. The yarns are lifted, more colour is added to the beck, and the yarns are then returned and dyed, taking care that the portion intended to remain of the lightest shade is not immersed. The same procedure is repeated as many times as gradations of shade are required. The article on hair-dyes is not adapted for our columns. There are receipts for dyeing black and light blue on woollen and mixed doubles; for a chamois on wool; for a wood-violet on woollen cloth; a copper and a chrome black on cottons for umbrellas. Croissant and Bertonnière's Patent. These inventors make a new class of colours from vegetable and animal refuse of all kinds. The dyes obtained are said to fix themselves upon all kinds of fibre without the use of mordants. Aniline Black.-Two shades can be obtained, according to Lamy, by passing through chromate of potash, or through soda. By passing through chromate of potash, soaping, washing, and passing through a weak bath of bleaching soda, a violet colour is obtained. By passing through a bath of soda, soaping, and washing, a blue shade is produced. If both swatches are steeped in dilute hydrochloric acid, at 1° Baumé and 18° C., the violet stands better than the blue, which turns green. The question arises whether these two shades are one and the same compound in different degrees of oxidation, and if the black itself is not a combination of superimposed layers of these two shades. Lamy treated pieces printed with aniline black, and taken from the dyeing-house after various terms of exposure, with chromate of potash and with soda, and obtained a number of violet and blue shades. Swatches from a fully aged piece showed, after passing through chromate, a violet-black, and if treated with soda a blue-black. PATENTS. ABRIDGMENTS OF PROVISIONAL AND COMPLETE An improved process of and apparatus for manufacturing caustic oda. Louis Bois, fils, chemist, Lyon. October 23, 1873.-No. 3452. Steam is made to pass through a series of pipes containing red-hot scrap-iron, and is thereby decomposed, the oxygen being conducted into pipes of refractory material containing carbonate of soda, which, seizing or absorbing the oxygen, is converted into caustic soda. The hydrogen of the steam is expelled by suitable means. Improved evaporating or recovering furnace or apparatus to be used for evaporating the water in soda-lye, or liquids containing any valuable sediment or body, so that the same may be rendered fit for being again used for manufacturing purposes. Charles Stevenson, Milngavie, Stirling, N.B. October 25, 1873.-No. 3474. This invention relates to distributing the soda-lye or liquid to the action of the fire, and that by means of perforated trays, slits, rose-pipes, or whatever may best distribute or break up the said liquid into rain-drops or An improved method of obtaining a black pigment for paint by the utilisation of a chemical by-product or refuse, and for the machinery or apparatus connected therewith. Robert Owen, Bowdon, Chester. October 28, 1873.-No. 3502. The by-product or refuse for manufacturing the black pigment is the residue arising from the manufacture charcoal or carbon by the manufacturers. This residue contains ashes of prussiate of potash, the residue being commonly called animal or gritty matters enveloping or mixed among the fine particles of carbon or charcoal, and the object of this invention is to separate these coarse and fine matters in the most efficient and economical manner, for the purpose of enabling the finer particles to be combined into a black pigment, or used as a powder, which, when worked up with boiled linseed oil and other matters used by painters, produces a cheap and durable black paint; but bluish shades can be obtained by an admixture of any of the drugs used by dyers for the purpose of having blue tints, and for the purposes of separation and grinding there are tanks, a separating- or dividing-trough, a filtering-trough, and for grinding the blocks a conical grinding-mill. Improvements in the process of, and kilns for, burning lime, bricks, tiles, and other articles, and for the calcination of minerals. MajorGeneral Henry Young Darracott Scott, C.B., Ealing, Middlesex. October 28, 1873.-No. 3505. The object of this invention is the economy of fuel in lime- and brick-burning, and other analogous processes, and in the roasting of ores, such as iron ores. This object is accomplished by combining the principle of the ordinary running limekiln or ordinary brick-clamp, in which the mineral and fuel are interstratified, with the flare principle of burning, the flare being produced by the gaseous fuel of coal, and the coke which results after the gases are expelled from the coal being employed for the layers of fuel, which are mixed with the mineral or article to be operated upon. Improvements in the construction of thermo-electric bat'eries or piles, and in the application of the electric currents derived therefrom through the medium of a novel arrangement of electro-magnets. Camille Alphonse Faure, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, Middlesex. October 30, 1873.-No. 3540. The novelty of the invention consists in arranging two plates or cylinders in such a manner that there will be an opening or annular space formed between them, which is filled with sulphuret of lead or "galena;" one of the plates or cylinders is kept hot by artificial means, and the other kept cool by the application of water. The two plates or cylinders form the poles of the thermoreceives the electro current passing through the "galena," and pile, which are connected together by a suitable conductor, and which transmits it to a magnet, around the cores of which a number of separate isolated strands of wire are wound, each strand being separately connected with the poles of the b ttery or thermopile, thereby producing electro-magnetic power, which actuating an armature through a series of "break" and "make" currents, a revolving motion to a shaft is given which may be employed for driving purposes. Improvements in apparatus for utilising sewage. John Flewitt Milnes, Park Valley, Nottingham. October 31, 1873.-No. 3541. The improvement consists in constructing a series of pits along the sewer bettom. The top of each pit is provided with a grating, each sucpit the crown of the sewer has an orifice, through which is passed a ceeding grate being a finer guage than the preceding one; over each tube, the bottom of which fits and rests upon the kerb of the pit, while the top conforms to the shape of the orifice in the crown of the sewer, so as to prevent the escape of gases. The solid sewage deposited in the pit is emptied through the tube by means of buckets, Archimedean screws, or equivalent contrivance. Improvements in removing sulphur from caustic soda or ammonia when containing sulphides. Ernest Smith, manufacturing chemist, Glasgow. November 3, 1873.-No. 3573. In the case of soda, the liquor has suspended in it granulated zinc, with which it is agitated until all the sulphur has combined with zinc. The zinc that is unacted on is then removed, and the zinc sulphide settles to the bottom. In the case of ammonia, the same process is adopted, or a solution of ammoniacal salt may be put in a still with the lime necessary for rendering the ammonia caustic, and with a quantity of ferrous sulphate, whereupon the caustic ammonia may be directly distilled over free from sulphur. Improvements in obtaining colouring matters and other substances from certain waste materials resulting from the manufacture of gas. John Rowley, manufacturing chemist, Camberwell, Surrey. November 4, 1873.-No. 3588. This invention relates to the production of blue and other colouring matters, and other substances, from certain waste materials obtained from the purifiers employed in the manufacture of gas. Improvements in the manufacture of soaps applicable for use as lubricants and for other purposes. Edouard George Peter Thomas, Star Chemical Works, Brentford, Middlesex. (A communication from Jules Persoz, chemist, Rue des Ecoles, Paris). Nov. 5, 1873.-No. 3603. This Provisional Specification describes dissolving oils or fatty bodies in a heavy oil, and forming soap in the midst of the liquid mass by the addition of alkali. Sodic and potassic soap are made with a light oil instead of a heavy oil. The light oil is removed by distillation. trray; came to be placed in position as found necessary, the soda-lye BERNERS COLLEGE of CHEMISTRY. being allowed to the said trays, or slits, or pipes, by own gravity. And also forcing the liquid through said perforations by means of a force-pump, reserving the right to force in longitudinally by force-pump a spray of soda-lye or liquid over the flame, all for the purpose of breaking up the liquid and exposing it to the full action of the flame. Likewise this invention relates to the use of agitators in the furnace for the purpose of stirring up the sediment or ash which will fall from the evaporated lye or liquid, so as to expose more fully any moisture which may still remain in the sediment whatever it may be, and, at the same time, serving the purpose of a scraper in drawing orward to a bench formed in the furnace the recovered ash or sediment. EXPERIMENTAL MILITARY and NAVAL SCIENCES, under the direction of Professor E. V. GARDNER, F.E.S., &c., of the late Royal Polytechnic Institution and the Royal Naval College. The Laboratory and Class Rooms are open from 11 to 5 a.m., and and from 7 to 10 p.m. daily. Especial facilities for persons preparing for Government and other examinations. Private Pupils will find every convenience. Analyses, Assays, and Practical Investigations connected with Patents, &c., conducted. For prospectus, &c., apply to Prof. E. V. G., 44, Berners-street, W NOTICE OF REMOVAL. L. OERTLING, OF 27, MOORGATE STREET, CHEMICAL BALANCE MANUFACTURER, WILL REMOVE ON THE 1ST OF AUGUST, Makers of every description of Chemical, Colliery, Copper Ore, Gold 33 KING ST., COVENT GARDEN, W.C. Mining, and Glass Machinery, including Crown, German Sheet, and Makers of the latest Improved Revolving Black Ash Furnace with Siemens's Patent Gas Arrangement, and as used in the Manufacture of Soda. Improved Valveless Air Engines, and Pumps for Acid Forcing, Air Agitators, Compressors for Collieries, and Weldon's Patent Chlorine Photographs, and other information, supplied on receipt of Orders. OXIDE OF IRON. We are prepared to supply, on moderate terms, HYDRATED PEROXIDE OF IRON (BOG OCHRE) Same quality as supplied by us to several of the most extensive Gas Companies, and which has given entire satisfaction. FRANCIS RITCHIE AND SONS, BELFAST. CONDENSATION OF SMOKE AND GASES. HESLOP, WILSON, & BUDDEN, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This Patent Apparatus is exceedingly simple, and inexpensive in construction, and is so arranged as may seem best for arresting the substances to be operated upon. Affords to Manufacturers and others PERFECT SAFETY under the Smoke and Gases Acts. Large Chimneys can be done away with. Succeeds thoroughly in UTILISES ALL EMISSIONS. OF GREAT VALUE IN SMELTING-WORKS. The Machine can be seen at Work at JOHNSON and HOBBS, 11, Cross Street, Manchester, and HESLOP, WILSON, and BUDDEN will be glad to furnish all particulars. WILLIAM FOX, Wholesale and Retail Chemist, SUPPLIES JESSE FISHER & SON, Phoenix Chemical Works, Ironbridge. Methylated Spirits.- David Smith Kidd, Licensed Maker, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, N.E. Also FINISH, FUSEL OIL, and RECT. NAPHTHA. Silicates of Soda and Potash in the state of Soluble glass, or in CONCENTRATED SOLUTION of first quality, suited for the manufacture of Soap and other purposes supplied on best terms by W. GOSSAGE and Sons, Soap Works, Widnes, Lancashire. London Agents, CLARKE and COSTE, 19 and 20, Water Lane, Tower Street, E.C., who holdstock ready for delivery. IMP -Use Liebig Company's Extract of Meat as "stock" for beef-tea, soups, made dishes, and sauces; gives fine flavour and great strength. Invariably adopted in households when fairly tried. Caution. -Genuine only with Baron Liebig's facsimile across label. PATENTS. MR. VAUGHAN, F.C.S., Memb. Soc. Arts, British, Foreign, and Colonial PATENT AGENT, 54, Chancery Lane, W.C., gives special attention to Inventions con nected with Chemistry, Metallurgy, and Mining. A "Guide to Inventors" Free by Post. CHEMICAL NEWS, July 31, 1874. THE Absorption of Rosaniline, &c., by Siliceous Substances. CHEMICAL VOL. XXX. No. 766. 45 Starting, then, with the announcement of the behaviour NEWS. of silica with these bases. I understand, from the brief THE REPORT OF THE ADULTERATION COMMITTEE. Ir appears after all that the Inland Revenue chemists seriously think themselves entitled and qualified to revise the work of the public analysts, and feel aggrieved that their claims are not accepted by the profession. Had we gone out of our way to make a gratuitous attack upon them, the letter of Mr. G. Phillips would have been highly pertinent. But, as the question stands, his statements, in as far as they are relevant, decidedly support the view we have taken. The specialities of the Excise chemists, as we were quite aware, are tobacco, snuff, and alcoholic liquors. But Mr. Phillips produces no evidence that, as regards milk, butter, flour, and bread-the articles which most frequently give rise to prosecutions,—their experience and their ability are superior, or even equal to, those of many of the public analysts. His letter goes not one jot or tittle towards proving that they are qualified to sit in final appeal upon the results obtained by men of European celebrity. The referees, whoever they may be, will have to decide on not merely the guilt or innocence of an accused tradesman, but the professional competence of two chemists, and frequently the trustworthiness of analytical processes. We may of course be mistaken, but we submit that such duties should be entrusted not to a chief and his staff of assistants-not to a body of friends or colleagues-not, above all, to Government officials, but to two or more well-known chemists, independent of "Departments" and of each other. In this manner the prejudices, the partialities, the interests, the whims, and the methods of each will be counterbalanced by those of the rest, and a fair result may be reasonably expected. It is significant that not an unbiassed voice has been raised in opposition to our views. Not one public analyst has expressed his willingness to accept the Excise chemists as final referees. ON THE ABSORPTION OF ROSANILINE, MAUVEINE, &c., In the second volume of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute I showed that silica, even in the anhydrous form, is a "mordant " of sufficient power to enable it to absorb certain organic substances from solution in weak acids; and in continuation of this subject I have tested this mineral, as well as many others, in respect to their deportment with the aniline bases; and the results of this investigation exhibit a remarkable tendency, on the part of these bases, to attach to siliceous matters generally, as well to several other substances of a widely different nature. Since these results have been obtained, however, I find Dr. Reimann has anticipated me in reference to silica as chemically prepared; this gentleman having shown that silica in this state rapidly absorbs the aniline bases generally from their acetic acid solutions, and playing the part, as he supposes, of a mordant. It is, therefore, proper to notice this circumstance first, having done which I now proceed with my subject; and I cannot, perhaps, do better than take it up at the point Dr. Reimann has left it, and that at which we are now at. CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. xxii., p. 83. notice of Dr. Reimann's observations alluded to, that in the case of compound silicate, like glass, it is supposed that their silica must first be made active," in order that they may "take the dyes," and, further, that free silica in a certain condition only, such as that in which the chemically prepared substance is in, will absorb these dyes; but my experiments show, on the contrary, that glass and silicate generally freely absorb many of these dyes when unprepared, and further, in the case of silica, no such limitations occur as the ones inferred. My results show that pure quartz readily absorbs mauveine and rosaniline, as well as many other of these bases, from their acetates; a portion of the acetic present is also absorbed. Hydrous, as also anhydrous, silicate of alumina readily absorbs these bases partly or wholly as acetates, when a large quantity of these bases is used relatively to that of the siliceous mineral; a portion is removed by pure water or by alcohol. The single silicates of magnesia or lime display great absorptive power for the bases named, and do not give them up to water; these behave similarly with the blue dyes. Some of these bases are only absorbed readily by these silicates when a certain quantity of saline matter is present in solution. The blue dye of Judson's "Hofmann's blue," I believe, is of this kind, and this deportment of it is well exhibited in the case of clay; thus, when this dye is mixed with clay in certain proportions, a clear colourless liquid and a rich blue sediment are obtained, but when this sediment is thrown on a filter and washed with pure water, the filtrate gradually becomes turbid and coloured, and by continuing the washing the whole of the colouring matter passes through the filter. If now a little of a neutral salt is dissolved in the filtrate, the clay and colouring matter precipitates simultaneously. A silicoacetate of the organic base, with alumina, appears to form in this instance. The felspars, especially those of potash and soda, do not so readily absorb these bases as the silicates just mentioned. The carbonates and sulphates of lime, baryta, &c., exercise no absorptive action on the bases named. Besides these siliceous substances, I find resins and fats generally absorb these bases, as also paraffin. Stearic acid warmed with any of them takes up the base to form a soap of a rich colour, and which is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, and is entirely precipitated from its alcoholic solution by water. A number of the metallic oxides and sulphides also absorb these bases from their solution in acetic acid; oxides of zinc and mercury, for instance, and the recently precipitated sulphide of these metals, the pure native sulphides also, have a feeble absorbent power for these bases. In all cases, it seems the absorption is wholly a chemical one. The results described show a great chemical activity at common temperatures on the part of a group of the most insoluble and apparently inert of our native minerals. The fact that certain clays, or clays generally, absorb ammonia, potash, &c., from their solutions, has been long since made known by Professor Way, but, from the similarity between these bases and those of the aniline series, and the facts here described, it appears that ammonia and the fixed bases are superficially absorbed by most siliceous substances by quartz and simple earthy silicates in particular, but by the felspars only feebly, at least when freshly exposed. In the case of anhydrous minerals exercising absorptive functions, we may, I think, properly suppose that they hydrate previously to this; the tendency of siliceous minerals of such a nature to pass to this condition in presence of water having been already shown by me in this periodical. The absorption described being undoubtedly a chemica one, we possess in these aniline dyes agents which, by their great calorific power, manifest palpably and rapidly the amenability of some of the most apparently inert native minerals unto chemical influences. The effect of saline matters in enabling clay to retain certain of these aniline bases is suggestive of the necessity of having our soils charged with weak saline solutions in place of pure water, in order that their absorptive power for certain substances may be exercised; and it also suggests the idea that such solutions, if saline, if beyond a certain degree, may retard vegetable growth, by attaching the necessary food for this unto the soil in too insoluble a form. Laboratory, Wellington, New Zealand, April 9, 1874. CORROSION OF TIN AND TIN-LINED WE have been much interested in reading the article of Professor S. P. Sharples in the July issue of the Journal,t and are moved thereby to give briefly some of the results of our own practical experience, extending over more than twenty-five years, regarding the action of water on lead and tin pipes. We have during this time put into and taken out from wells, springs, and aqueducts thousands of feet of tin and tin-lined pipes, and in no instance within our recollection, where we have seen the interior surface of any of these pipes after a year's use, have we failed to discover more or less corrosion. Spring- and well-water seem to act upon the tin quicker than pond- or river-water. Hundreds of feet of block-tin pipe which we have put into wells we have been called upon to replace with new after ten or twelve years' use, the old pipes being so corroded as to be useless. Portions of some of them we have found to be so completely oxidised as to crumble at the touch, while other portions of the same pipe would be comparatively smooth and free from any corrosion. Called upon a few days since to make some repairs upon an ordinary house-pump, we had occasion, in taking it down, to cut off the pipe leading to the well, and an examination of this showed it to be tin-lined lead pipe considerably corroded, the tin being completely eaten through, in many places of the size of small shot. Pursuing the investigation still further, we found a short piece of lead pipe (unlined), connected between the tin-lined pipe and the pump, which was perfectly smooth and free from the action of water. The solder joining the two, a mixture of probably nearly equal parts of lead and tin, was also bright and smooth. The facts ascertained upon inquiry were these:Twelve years ago the pump was put in with lead pipe leading to well, and after a lapse of eight years the lead pipe was replaced by the tin-lined, with the exception of the short piece before mentioned, which for some reason was left untouched. Here, then, we have tin and lead under precisely the same conditions of exposure, the former practically useless after four years' use, while the latter was absolutely perfect and uninjured after twelve years' contact with water. This case, as regards the durability of the lead, we should call exceptional, as most pipes of that metal, exposed to the same test, whould show the action of the water in ten or twelve years. We never had any reason for supposing that the tin furnished by any manufacturer was anything but commercially pure tin, but it is well known among plumbers that occasionally a pig of tin is found, which will not make good plumbers' solder by reason of the natural impurities contained in it; and our theory of the matter is, From an advance sheet of the Boston Journal of Chemistry. Communicated by the Editor. See CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. xxx., p. 6 NEWS that it is these natural impurities existing in both lead Springfield, July, 1874. TECHNO-CHEMICAL GAS ANALYSIS. AFTER a lengthy dissertation on the importance of a simple When the tube A has been filled, with the abovementioned precautions, the next step is the determination of the several gaseous constituents by an absorptio-metric process. The limb в serves for the reception of the absorbing liquid; it is selected wider or narrower as the case requires, and it is connected with the limb a by means of a piece of caoutchouc tubing. On pouring the absorbing liquid into the tube B, there is formed under the tap a, affixed to the measuring-tube, a collection of air, which must first be removed. For this purpose the tap is provided with two perforations; the one is the ordinary transverse aperture, and serves to place both limbs of the tube in connection; the other goes in the direction of the taphandle, which terminates in a pointed tube, which again can be closed by means of a piece of caoutchouc tube and a pinch-cock. In this manner it is practicable to let out the included air through the longitudinal aperture of the tap a, and, when this has taken place, to prevent the liquid from escaping by means of the pinch-cock. This construction of the tap also enables the measuring-tube to be placed in direct communication with the external air. The different positions which may be given to the tap a are seen in Fig. 2. Position a connects both limbs of the tube, position b connects в with the external air, and position c places the latter in connection with the measuring-tube A. After filling the measuring-tube with the gaseous mixture, the tap a was in the position b, and a cautious opening of the pinch-cock released the enclosed air through the liquid in B. The gas and the liquid are now only separated by the tap a; by turning this round 90°, it takes the position a, Fig. 2. A communication between both limbs is thus effected, and absorption begins, aided by the pressure of the column of liquid. To expedite it, however, the support bearing the tubes is so arranged that they can be alternately placed either horizontally or vertically. Before being placed in a horizontal position, the tap a is placed in the position b, Fig. 2, and a tube, c, bent at right angles, is connected with the limb B, in order to prevent the escape of the liquid when the tube is inclined. In the horizontal position of the tubes the absorption is very active, as may be perceived if the tube is replaced in the vertical position, and the tap a is re-opened; immediately a fresh quantity of liquid forces its way into the measuringtube. This alternating inclination of the tubes, the tap a being closed each time, is continued until no further entrance of the liquid into the measuring-tube can be perceived, a result which is mostly effected in a few minutes. FIG. I. temperature. To regulate the temperature of the gaseous mixture, it is allowed to pass through a bottle of mercury, which is kept along with the absorbents. If it is required to determine relatively small amounts of a gaseous constituent, a somewhat modified construction of the measuring-tube is needful. The lower part nearest to the tap a is made narrower, so as to admit a more accurate graduation, say in ths of a c.c. In this case the graduation of the tube need not be continued for the whole length of the tube. The description of the method by which the author secured gaseous mixtures of known composition, in order to test his method, is omitted as unnecessary, and we pass on to the determination of individual gases. 1. Watery Vapour.-It has been already observed that all gases are saturated with watery vapour prior to C a It is now necessary to bring the liquid in the two connected tubes to the same level, which is effected by the exit-tap, c, Fig. 1. The volume of liquid which has entered into A represents the number of c.c. of absorbed gas, and when it is multiplied by 100, and divided by the total capacity of the measuring-tube, the percentage of the absorbed constituent is found. From the above it appears that only one gaseous constituent, or the sum of several can be determined at once. If a complete analysis is required, as many apparatus can be used at once as there are gaseous constituents to be determined. The measuring-tubes are connected together with caoutchouc tubes, and filled at once. The analyst has thus the advantage of operating upon a set of portions filled under the same conditions of temperature and atmospheric pressure, and equally saturated with watery vapour, so that the customary corrections for temperature may be dispensed with. The determinations take so little time that an alteration of the volume of the gas from a change of temperature is not to be feared. Care must be taken that the various absorption liquids have all the same measurement. The determination of the water present is not necessary in every case. If it is required to find the amount of watery vapour in a gaseous mixture concentrated sulphuric acid is used as absorbent liquid. By inclining the tubes a few times, the gas is dried completely. Before reading off, the sulphuric acid is allowed to stand for a few minutes. If the gas under examination contains originally a certain amount of water, without being saturated, two determinations are required. One apparatus is filled direct with the gaseous mixture, without allowing it to pass through the tube filled with wet cotton-wool; whilst another is filled with gas which has been thus saturated. The difference which appears between the two subsequent measurements with sulphuric acid corresponds to the volume of watery vapour which the gas took up in passing through the damp cotton. 108.7 c.c. air, treated direct with sulphuric acid, required o'g c.co.82 volume-percentage of water. 106.8 c.c. air, saturated with watery vapour, required 3 cie. sulphuric acid-2.11 volume-percentages of water |