engraving, writing, lithograph, or other document or print, being made by a transferring process, and thus we give protection to the property of bankers and others. For this purpose, we cause paper or fabric to be used for such purposes, to be combined or impregnated with materials which shall prevent a transfer being made. And the principle on which we act is this, that the materials with which the paper or fabric is combined or impregnated, shall either be acted on chemically by the surface, or materials used to produce a transfer, or shall impart to the paper or fabric such a protective quality as shall prevent a successful transfer, and we believe the following to be the best means of carrying out our invention.

We take a solution of a salt of copper (we prefer nitrate or sulphate) which is to be mixed with the pulp of which paper is to be made; an alkali or alkaline salt is then applied in order to produce a cupreous precipitate (either hydrated oxide of copper or a salt of copper) insoluble in water (we prefer phosphate of soda) until reddened litmus paper turns blue. One ounce of nitrate of copper, or its equivalent of sulphate of copper, is sufficient to saturate for the purpose of our invention, two gallons of pulp, and less may be used if the colour is found objectionable. The pulp is then to be carefully washed with water. We mix with an alkali as much fixed oil (not a drying oil) as the alkali will convert into soap, and heat it until thoroughly melted, and while in a state of ebullition, we add old palm oil, and heat till thoroughly incorporated; or we use a mixture of equal parts of white soft soap and old palm oil. We prefer this latter process. We dissolve the same in boiling water, using half a pound of the soap to one gallon of water, and into the saponaceous solution we dip the paper impregnated with copper in the pulp, as before mentioned. The paper is then to be sized in the ordinary manner, or the size without alum may be mixed with the soap solution, prior to the paper which has been made from the pulp impregnated with copper being immersed in it; or the soap solution may be combined with the pulp when the same has been impregnated with copper as above mentioned, care being taken to get rid of the acid (if any). When the destruction of the original document is not desired, and when it is only sought to prevent a transfer being taken, the soap solution may be used alone, without the copper hereinbefore described; that is to say, it may be dipped in it, and afterwards sized, or it may be mixed in the size without alum.

For the purpose of treating paper or fabric so as to prevent a transfer being taken, we wash or otherwise impregnate it with a saturated solution of sulphate of copper, or its equivalent of nitrate or other soluble salt of copper. When dry, the paper or fabric must be dipped in a solution of alkali or alkaline salt (we prefer phosphate of soda) sufficiently strong to convert the soluble salt of copper into an insoluble one. The paper or fabric must then be carefully washed in water, dried, and then dipped in the soap solution as herein before described.

Having thus described the nature of our invention, and the manner of performing the same, we would have it understood that we do not confine ourselves to the salts of copper herein specified, as others having a similar effect may be used, but we believe not with so good a result, such as salts of lead or other metals, and which Chemists know to be capable of effecting the object herein described, that is, such as will be acted on chemically by the surface or materials employed to produce a transferred impression from a document.

In witness hereof, &c.

(Signed)

HENRY GLYNN.

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NITRATES, AND OF HYDRATE AND CARBONATE OF SODA.

(Claussen's Patent, enrolled August 3.)

THE improvements in the manufacture of nitrates consists of the decomposition and oxidation of ammonia, and of volatile compounds containing ammonia, whereby nitro-acids, and more especially nitric acid, is formed, care being taken immediately on the formation of the acid to bring it in its nascent state into contact with potash, soda, lime, &c., whereby a nitrate of either of these bases may be obtained.

To effect the required oxidation of the ammonia, an apparatus (the size and form of which is not described) is employed, in which is placed pumice-stone, charcoal, coke, platinum foil or sponge, or other substance capable of offering an extensive surface to the absorption of oxygen by the liquid ammonia in its passage through the porous material employed, care being taken to bring the fluid in its oxidized state into contact with the base required to form the desired nitrate, as, for instance,

nitrate of potash, &c. Such an arrangement of the apparatus may be adopted as will allow of the ammoniacal gas on its liberation from an ammoniacal salt (as for instance sulphate of ammonia) to be absorbed by water, and the solution thus obtained to drop on the surface of the oxidizing material employed. The distilled product of gas-liquor may also be directly employed in the formation of nitrates in the way above mentioned.

In the manufacture of hydrate and carbonate of soda, Mr. Claussen adds to a solution of sulphate of soda, a body capable of effecting the decomposition of that salt and liberatiug the soda. Hydrate of soda may be obtained by thus employing the hydrates of lime, baryta, and strontia, whilst carbonate of soda is obtained by long exposure of the hydrate to the air, the process of absorption of carbonic acid being much facilitated by frequent agitation.

Mr. Claussen states that both hydrate and carbonate of soda may be manufactured directly from common salt, by decomposing that substance by means of certain organic acids, which are afterwards decomposed by heat, by gaseous acids capable of decomposing chloride of sodium, by the decomposition of chloride of sodium, by hydrates, oxides, peroxides, and certain metallic bases, also by certain carbonates, carbonate of ammonia excepted.

IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING CHLORIDE OF ZINC, CARBONATE OF SODA, &c.

(Boulton's Patent, enrolled August 24.)

In this case sulphate of zinc is decomposed by means of a chlorine salt. If either the chloride of calcium or of barium be employed, the solution of chloride of zinc obtained is decanted from the precipitate formed. If the chlorides of sodium or potassium be used, the chloride of zinc is separated by crystallization, &c., in the usual way. Ores of zinc may also be calcined with a salt containing chlorine, and chloride of zinc be thus obtained. If the ore contain carbonate of zinc, and the chloride of sodium or potassium be used, carbonate of soda or potash is also obtained. To obtain sulphur or sulphuric acid, the sulphates are converted into sulphides by treatment with a carbonaceous substance, lime, and hydrogen gas, and from these sulphides the sulphur is expelled by means of steam, hydrogen gas, or any other gas containing hydrogen. If the sulphides of soda or potash be used, the carbonates of these bases may be obtained.

IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES, AND USEFUL APPLICATION OF RESIDUARY PRODUCTS THEREFROM.

(Mr. M. J. Roberts's Patent, enrolled August.)

THE first of these improvements consists in the employment of tin as the positive plate, in conjunction with platinum or some other metal which is electro-negative in respect to tin. The exciting fluid used is an acid, such as nitric or nitro-muriatic acid, capable of acting powerfully on tin. This acid may be employed either in its free state, or combined with some base which it will leave when brought into contact with tin. A solution of nitrate of copper, or of some other metal which is electronegative with regard to tin, is best adapted to this purpose. Mr. Roberts prefers the employment of free nitric acid as the exciting fluid. The residuary product obtained in this case is oxide of tin (also termed stannic or meta-stannic acid), the addition of soda to which gives stannate of soda, a salt used by the calico-printer and dyer.

If nitro-muriatic acid be employed as the exciting agent, a chloride or bi-chloride of tin is produced, which is also used in dyeing and printing.

The residuary oxide is deposited in the cell containing the exciting fluid, which is made larger than the plates require. As it is thrown down in the form of hydrate, it takes a large portion of water with it, and by this means the strength of the exciting fluid is not diminished. The cells employed are formed of iron coated with enamel, glaze, or other suitable means of protection from the action of the acid contained in them.

Another improvement is that of employing copper as the positive metal, in conjunction with platinum or other metal electro-negative to copper; in this case also nitric acid is used as the exciting fluid. The residuary nitrate of copper obtained is of useful application in dyeing and printing. Mr. Roberts states that the improved battery is very economical in its use.

IMPROVED CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS FOR MAKING GUN MATCHES (Winiwarter's Patent, enrolled July 29.)

First Composition.-Fulminating mercury 300 parts, chlorate of potash 288 parts, sulphate of antimony 312 parts, charcoal and saltpetre (mixed in the proportions of 16.7 of the former, and 63.3 of the latter) 60 parts, ferrocyanide of potassium 23 parts, binoxide of lead 6 parts, etheroxylin (containing 75 of pyroxylin to 150 of ether) 900 parts.

Second Composition.-Fulminating zinc 75 parts, chlorate of potash 4 parts, sulphate of antimony 7 parts, binoxide of lead 15 parts, etheroxylin 224 parts, ferrocyanide of potassium, 1 part.

Third Composition.-Amorphous phosphorus 75 parts, binoxide of lead 64 parts, charcoal and saltpetre mixture 15 parts, etheroxylin 106 parts.

The etheroxylin above mentioned is formed by dissolving pyroxylin, or guncotton (made by treating cotton wool, paper makers's pulp, or saw-dust, with a mixture of 12 parts of strong sulphuric acid and 6 parts of nitric acid, and well washing and drying the product) moistened with spirit of wine, to the proportion of ether before mentioned.

To effect the combination of these dangerous materials, a mixing machine is employed, consisting of a horizontal cylinder divided into two parts by a perforated plate, and having two pistons working in it, by the action of which, the materials in fine powder, are forced through the plate, first in one direction and then in the other, until thoroughly mixed; after which the composition is moulded into matches of the required shape and size, which, when dry, are used in the same way as percussion caps, and as substitutes for them.

REVIEW.

THE LONDON DISPENSATORY; a Practical Synopsis of Materia Medica, Pharmacy, and Therapeutics. Illustrated with many useful Tables, and Woodcuts of the Pharmaceutical Apparatus. By the late ANTHONY TODD THOMSON, M.D., F.L.S. Eleventh Edition. Edited by ALFRED BARING GAROD, M.D. Longman, Brown, and Co. 1852.

THE reappearance of this work seems to us like the return of an old friend after a long absence. But the renewal of acquaintanceship, instead of reminding us of the ravages of time and the debilitating effects of age, is, in this instance, accompanied by evidences of restored youth and increased energy. Few works of the sort have had a larger circulation, or been held in higher repute than Thomson's Dispensatory; but it cannot be denied that the author, in his declining years, had allowed a considerable number of typographical and other errors to escape correction, in addition to which the publication of new editions of the three British Pharmacopoeias, had destroyed the value of the Dispensatory for one of the purposes for which it was designed as a work of reference, and it had therefore ceased for several years to occupy its accustomed place in the hands of the Pharmaceutist.

The London Dispensatory is the only remaining work in which the arrangement originally adopted, a hundred years ago, by Dr. Lewis in his New Dispensatory, and subsequently followed by Dr. Duncan in the Edinburgh New Dispensatory, has been retained. It, therefore, has the concurrent testimony which the sanction of three of our most eminent pharmaceutical writers, and a century of unabated popularity afford in its favour. For the purposes of the student we consider the arrangement, in its general features, the best that can be adopted, and with the exception of the defects to which we have referred, Dr. Thomson's work was especially adapted for the pharmaceutical student-therapeutics being made a subordinate subject. In the present edition, the editor states it has been his great aim "to preserve as much as possible the matter of the author, and only to make such alterations as the changes in the Pharmacopeias and the progress of science have rendered necessary." We think he has acted judiciously in this, and as far as we have observed, the changes which have been made are calculated to improve the character of the work, and if not wholly to remove, at least to lessen its defects; while the peculiar features and practically valuable matter, which gained for the Dispensatory its well-deserved popularity, are still retained unaltered. We regret, however, to observe a few errors, which lessen the value of the work as an authority on some chemical points.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD: its Common Causes and Directions for its Practical Management. By ROBERT ELLIS, F.L.S., &c., &c. London: G. Cox, King William Street, Strand. 1852. 8vo, pp. 288.

AN ESSAY ON THE CAUSES WHICH INDUCE THE PREMATURE DECAY OF THE TEETH IN CIVILIZED COMMUNITIES. By J. L. Levison, D.D.S., Author of Practical Observations on the Teeth and Gums, &c. Brighton: Robert Folthorp. 1852.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A Member (Exeter).-Dr. Hooper says of opodeldoc, "A term of no meaning, frequently employed by Paracelsus. Formerly it signified a plaster for all external injuries, but now is confined to the camphorated soap liniment."

Esculapius.-The formulæ given are both bad; sulphate of copper alone is better. S. P. (Brighton).-(1.) Fownes's Manual or Turner's Chemistry.-(2.) Redwood's Practical Pharmacy.-(3.) The seeds should be bruised.

T. C.-We cannot recommend a substitute for the gall.

T. Collman.-Common sealing-wax may be made as follows:-black resin 61b., bees'wax bss., Venetian red or red lead, biss. Mix with heat.

C. H. (Leamington)-For marking-ink, see vol. vi., p. 419 of this Journal. We do not know the composition of custard powder.

Amator Scientia (Folkstone).-(1.) It should be diluted with water.-(2.) Water FILTER, Mr. Alfred Bird's, of Birmingham.-(3.) Yes.-(4.) We presume a preparation of carthamus is used.-(5.) The lectures delivered at the Museum of Practical Geology.-(6.) Yes.

M. P. S.-Table-spoonfuls.

A. D.-(1.) In all cases where common water would interfere with the result, distilled water should be used.-(2.) Fownes's Manual is suited for a beginner.

R. B. D. (Chester).—The Chemical Record is the only "Weekly Chemical Journal.” George Smith.-The subject is under the consideration of the Council.

M. P. S. (Brompton). TINCTURE OF INDIAN HEMP. R Ext. Cannabis Ind. g. xcvj.; Sp. Vini Rect., f. 3iv. Solve. Dr. O'Shaughnessy.

A. D. J. (Norwich).-TINCTURE OF SUMBUL. In the absence of any formula published on authority, we have adopted the following :-R Sumbul, 3ij.; Proof Spirit, 3xvj. Macerate seven days and strain.

F. (Islington)-See vol. vii., page 363; vol. ix., page 297. It is a case of sailing near the wind; but we think the stamp is not required.

An Enquirer (Bridport).-The regular course is to pass the minor examination first; and the major, not the same day, but some time after. The rule is not absolute. Chemicus (Stonehouse).—Members who have seceded from the Society may be readmitted on payment of arrears and a nominal fine.

Chemicus (Sunderland).-See the Report of the Special Meeting in this number. Amicus. (1.) No; the subscription is the same. - -(2.) The Daguerrotype or Talbotype process.

E. H.-A Chemist could not be prosecuted for publishing an advertisement announcing his intention to practise in violation of the Apothecaries' Act; but if such advertisement were to meet the eye of a neighbouring Apothecary he might be watched, and if caught tripping a prosecution would follow.

I. D. (Merthyr Tydvil).-Dr. Pereira's Materia Medica, published by Longman, vol. i., 25s.; vol. ii., part i., £1 17s.; part ii. in the press.-Royle's Materia Medica (Churchill), 128.

Several Correspondents will find their questions answered in the reports of meetings, and other parts of this number.

Instructions from Members and Associates, respecting the transmission of the Journal, to Mr. SMITH, Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square, before the 20th of the month.

Advertisements (not later than the 23rd of the month) to Mr. CHURCHILL, Princes Street, Soho. Other communications to the Editor, 15, Langham Place.

VOL. XII.--No. IV.-OCTOBER 1st, 1852.

THE ADMISSION OF MEMBERS INTO THE PHARMACEUTICAL

SOCIETY.

DURING the past month the applications from Chemists desiring to join_the Society, and the inquiries respecting the terms and mode of admission, have been so numerous, that for the convenience of all parties we quote the following Bye-Laws, which will serve as replies to most of the questions:

"1. All persons desirous of becoming Members (except such Associates of the Society as were admitted prior to the 1st July, 1842, and except such persons as were or had been established on their own account as Chemists and Druggists at or prior to the 18th February, 1843) shall, in the first place, pass such examination as the Council shall think fit and require; and which examination shall be styled the Major Examination.

"2. Associates of the Society, who were admitted before the 1st July, 1842, shall on their applying to be admitted as Members, produce such certificates of qualification as may be required by the Council in conformity with the Charter.

"3. All persons who were or had been established on their own account as Chemists and Druggists, at or prior to the date of the Charter, namely, the 18th February, 1843, may, on being approved by the Council, be elected Members.

"4. All such last-mentioned persons must, previous to their being elected, give reference to Two Members of the Society, or other persons approved by the Council, who shall certify to the Council on such matters as may be required of them concerning the Candidate.

5. Each person so elected as last mentioned, shall, in addition to the annual sums required to be paid by Members, pay the sum of Two Guineas as an Entrance Fee. A new bye-law is under consideration, relating to the admission of those who commenced business after the date of the Charter and before the passing of the Pharmacy Act. This bye-law has been approved by the Council, settled by Mr. Tidd Pratt, and is now before the Secretary of State, whose approval and confirmation will be necessary. It will then, if so approved and confirmed, be submitted to a Special General Meeting of the Society for final confirmation. The principle of the bye-law is strictly in accordance with the resolutions passed at the last Special General Meetings, and also at several meetings held in the country, the reports of which are published in our last and present numbers.

The year being so far advanced it is not likely that many Members will join the Society until the month of December, as those admitted before the 1st of that month are required to pay the subscription for the current year.

We hope to be able, in our next number, to publish the new bye-law, by the authority of the Council, and at the same time to announce the Special General Meeting. In the meantime those who desire to join the Society should forward their applications to the Local Secretaries, or to the Secretary, Mr. G. W. Smith, 17, Bloomsbury Square, London. We suggest to the Local Secretaries the importance of retaining lists of those who are desirous of admission, keeping separate lists of those who were in business before the date of the Charter, and those who commenced after that date. This will greatly facilitate the proceedings with regard to admission when the regulations are completed.