ing cast iron in dilute sulphuric acid, and digesting the residue in very strong alcohol: the solution was filtered while hot, and the alcohol was distilled off with a very gentle heat. Thus obtained, the oil was clear and transparent, had a slight lemonyellow colour, and an acrid taste. It appeared to hold a middle rank between the fat and volatile oils. He remarked the formation of a similar oil during the solution of tin in muriatic acid. (Journal des Mines, No. cxix. p. 392.)

Doebereiner ascertained more recently that hydrogen gas may be rendered completely inodorous, by being kept in contact for some time with newly ignited charcoal-(Schw. Journ. iii. 377)-and Mr. Donovan, that the same object may be effected by passing the gas successively through lime water, nitric acid, solution of green vitriol, and water. Neither of them alludes to an oil as occasioning the peculiar odour: the latter, indeed, ascribed it wholly to sulphuretted and phosphuretted hydrogen. (Phil. Mag. xlviii. 138.)

Before concluding, we may observe, that although this oleaginous principle is probably formed invariably during the solution of the sub-carburets of iron, and also of other metals, such as manganese, nickel, &c. which combine with small quantities of carbon, there are besides other circumstances under which the hydrogen evolved during the solution of metals will possess a peculiar odour. This will take place whenever the metals contain traces of phosphorus, sulphur, selenium, tellurium or arsenic. The solution of those varieties of iron, so common in France, which contain phosphorus, is always accompanied with the odour of phosphuretted hydrogen. Most of the tin which occurs in commerce, even those refined specimens sold under the name of grained tin, occasion the evolution of a considerable quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen gas when dissolved in muriatic acid. We think it not improbable that the doubtful compound described by Kastner and others, under the name of stanniuretted hydrogen gas, is nothing else than arseniuretted hydrogen; which, of course, must make its appearance whenever the tin happens to be contaminated with arsenic. This would account for the prejudicial vapours which are occasionally emitted during the solution of tin in muriatic acid, and which are so much complained of by those who prepare solutions of muriate of tin on a large scale, for the use of the dyer and calico printer.

3. Selenium, an Attendant of Sulphur.

Pleischl (in Schweigger's Neues Journ. ix. 348,) expresses his opinion that selenium is not an uncommon attendant of sulphur: we are inclined to think, from the observations of Berzelius, Stromeyer, Gmelin, Wähler, Lewenau, &c. that the fact is already pretty satisfactorily established.

A foreign admixture of this nature would account for the very deleterious qualities which the French chemists ascribe to sulphuretted hydrogen gas, and for their antipathy against inhaling the slightest particle into the lungs. (Thenard, Traité de Ch. 3d edit. i. 722-729.) That the odour of the gas is sufficiently unpleasant must be admitted; but we have repeatedly remained in atmospheres copiously impregnated with it, without experiencing any injurious consequences, and we do not hesitate to assert, that the antidote which they recommend, namely, the continual emission of chlorine into the open air so long as the gas is preparing, is a much more serious inconvenience than the one which it is intended to correct. It can scarcely be doubted, that their sulphur contained either selenium or arsenic; and as Thenard has described this extremely noxious quality as one of the inseparable characteristics of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, it appears probable that the contamination is far from unfrequent.

MINERALOGY.

4. A Superb Collection of Minerals for Sale.

Dr. Joseph Guillaume Waagner, of Vienna, has announced the sale of the superb collection of minerals, late the property of M. Jacques Frederick Von der Nüll, deceased.

This collection is well known, both for the magnificence of the specimens, and by its having been arranged and described by Professor Mohs, in 3 vols. 8vo. Vienna, 1804.

When that work appeared, the collection contained 3926 specimens, exclusive of the cut precious stones which form a valuable collection by themselves, and do not belong to the great collection. Since that time, to the death of the owner in May 1823, the cabinet has been continually increasing, and the number of specimens it now contains amounts to 5047, of which 3427 are ticketted with numbers corresponding with M. Mohs' catalogue, and the remaining 1620 are briefly described in a catalogue by M. Partsch.

The average size of the specimens is about three in. by two, and they are contained in three cabinets of 48 drawers each. The specimens of gold, silver, and tellurium, and the minerals in general found in the Austrian empire, particularly Hungary and Transylvania, are said to be remarkably fine.

The price is fixed at 30007. sterling, and time will be allowed for payment on satisfactory security being given.

Persons wishing to treat for the purchase, are requested to apply to Dr. J. G. Waagner, Hohenmarkt, No. 511, 3 eme étage. 5. New Locality of Tellurium.

During a recent arrangement of the collection of minerals belonging to the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stockholm, there

were observed several specimens of a broad foliated mineral from Riddarhyttan, having a silver-white colour, and the metallic lustre. Berzelius instantly recognized it as being identical in its external characters with the mineral first described by Von Born, under the name of molybdenous silver, which Klaproth considered as a sub-sulphuret of bismuth, but which he himself ascertained a few years ago to be an alloy of bismuth and tellurium, mixed with some selenium. (The Use of the Blowpipe, Eng. Tr. p. 152.) The mineral from Riddarhyttan proved by a blowpipe examination to contain rather more sulphur than Von Born's, but the other constituents appeared to be exactly the same, and in exactly the same proportions in both. It is remarkable as being the first instance in which this rare metal has been found in Sweden.-(Kongl. Vet. Acad. Handl. 1823, st. I.)

66

MISCELLANEOUS.

6. Hydrophobia cured by Acetate of Lead.

Dr. Fayerman, of Norwich, had a patient under his care, labouring under the most dreadful symptoms of confirmed hydrophobia, in consequence of the bite of a mad dog upwards of three months before he was taken ill. Having tried the usual methods without success, Dr. Fayerman, to use his own expression, " took time to consider what was best to be done; my personal observations confirmed me in the previous idea which I had entertained, that hydrophobia is a disease specifically of the nervous system. I felt more strong in the belief, from the knowledge that local irritation from wounds in irritable habits, especially when conjoined with a perturbed state of the passions, and also violent affections of the mind, independently of corporal injury in hysterical and hypochondriacal constitutions, have at times produced all the pathognomic symptoms of canine madness.” Having witnessed the powerful effects of lead on the nervous system, I determined at once to give this mineral a trial in the terrific disease before me." "At nine o'clock," (the patient being in a state of comparative quiet, from exhaustion)" I gave him 35 drops of the liquor plumbi superacetatis, vulgo Goulard's extract of lead, on a lump of sugar; the pulse at this period was tremulous and irregular, and at 105; the power of deglutition at this period was greatly impeded by the frequent spasms affecting the glottis, and it was at least 15 minutes before the medicated sugar had passed into the stomach. At 10 o'clock the dose was increased, and he took 40 drops of the extract of lead, in the same manner as before, pulse 98. He slept from half-past 10, to within a few minutes of 11. He was awoke by severe pain about the scrobiculus cordis, great thirst and heat about the fauces, but there was absence of

spasmodic contraction which had previously threatened suffocation. At one o'clock, on the 13th of August, I repeated the venesection eight ounces, and gave 45 drops of the extract of lead, mixed in a small portion of honey. At three, this morning, the dose was repeated, and notwithstanding the powerful astringency of the medicine, there was certainly less difficulty in the act of swallowing. The pain about the stomach had been reduced in violence, since the use of the lancet a second time, and the mind had become more calm and collected. At five o'clock the thirst having increased beyond endurance, he expressed a desire to drink; a little weak brandy and water, mixed in a tea-pot, was presented to his notice; but the moment the fluid had been taken to the lips, a violent spasm came on, he seized the vessel with the fury of a maniac, and bit the spout off. In 25 minutes after this paroxysm had subsided, 50 drops of the solution of lead was administered. At nine o'clock the patient complained of coldness along the spine, and of a peculiar tingling sensation in the lower extremities, and soon after of total inability to move his limbs-the pulse at this time was at 84. I examined his legs and found them completely paralyzed. The symptoms of hydrophobia became every hour after this crisis materially lessened. I fully succeeded at halfpast 10 in getting down three tablespoonfuls of castor oil. I reduced the solution of lead in doses of 20 drops every three hours; at 12 o'clock the bowels were evacuated; at two P. M. we again attempted the introduction of the weak brandy and water, the patient made a bold and resolute effort to conquer or die in the struggle. He armed his mind with the strongest courage and fortitude; he carried the vessel to his lips, and although his countenance fully displayed the most horrid repugnance, yet from a total absence of spasm, he succeeded in getting down a considerable portion of the fluid. From this moment I considered the cause gained, and I hailed with joy the triumph which such a conquest inspired. I gradually descended the scale of my remedy to 10 drops, and I had the satisfaction to find, that in the space of 48 hours from the first exhibition of the solution of lead in this case of hydrophobia, all the more urgent symptoms of this monstrous disease had abated. In four days, not the least appearance of hydrophobia malady existed, the patient had the look of a person enervated and debilitated to an excessive degree; the wound in the hand" (occasioned by excision of the bitten part, and the application. of caustic,) was suffered to remain open for some weeks. On the 26th September, the patient recovered the use of his limbs and was discharged."

66

(Signed)

ARNALL THOMAS FAYERMAN.

We have extracted the preceding from the account which

appeared in the Morning Herald of the 7th of last month. It cannot be too generally known; for if further experience prove the efficacy of the remedy, Dr. Fayerman's name will stand deservedly high, as a benefactor of mankind. The subject is rather more exclusively medical, than we are in the habit of admitting amongst our miscellanea, but our great object is to make the pages of the Annals of Philosophy, the medium for communicating interesting and useful matter in every department of science, to the world at large, whether that matter be original, or selected from respectable cotemporary journals, foreign or domestic, and other works of merit and reputation; and we shall continue to pursue that object, equally indifferent to the worthless praises and contemptible criticisms of hebdomadal quacks and sciolists.

7. Extraordinary Tide.

About 10 p. m. on Tuesday, the 13th inst. wind ESE. light airs and variable; barometer 30-0, thermometer 70, a sudden flux of the tide was observed at this port, which rose several feet, and in its reflux, aided by the ebb, its rapidity was such as to sweep every thing before it. The chain conductor of the flying bridge on the Lairy, gave way, and for a time rendered. its bridge useless; but by the exertions of the men it was soon repaired. However, about one o'clock, it being then near low water, the same occurrence again took place, and the bridge was again torn from its position. Boats, timber, &c. were swept away by the great flux and reflux of the tide, which continued at intervals until four o'clock on Wednesday morning (being about three-quarters flood), when it began to assume a more formidable and terrific appearance. The ordinary velocity of the tide being not more than two knots per hour, was now observed to run from seven to eight, at intervals of from 13 to 15 minutes, and sometimes 20 minutes. As the time of high water approached, the flux and reflux was more powerful, and of longer duration, probably occasioned by the unfinished ends of the Breakwater being at that time overflowed. From nine till about twelve o'clock, the river of Catwater was impassable, excepting by taking advantage of going with the current, and the same in returning. Boats were torn off the shore, and in a few moments hurried out of sight. The appearance of the elements now was truly wonderful; distant claps of thunder, heavy lowering clouds, some rising in different positions, and others floating in a horizontal direction, occasioned, no doubt, from the extraordinary variations of the wind blowing fresh in puffs from every quarter of the compass in a short space of time, with intervals of calm. Some idea of the extraordinary rapidity of the current may be imagined, when it is asserted, from the minutest observations, that the flux or fresh of the tide at