At Bovisand, which, from the direction of the wind, was but imperfectly protected by the breakwater, the injury sustained was, as recorded in the same paper, considerable.

"The pier," as it informs us, "sustained considerable damage; and the diving bell, which was erected there, and worked by means of machinery attached to the pier, and places adjacent, the bell vessel not being necessary, was thrown down, and partially buried in the ruins of part of the wall which was destroyed. A vessel secured to the pier, and on board of which were five men belonging to the works, was, by the fury of the gale (on the 22nd. inst.), broken adrift, and driven on shore, about a mile further in, under Stadden heights; the men were providentially saved, but most of them lost their clothes."

Deadman's Bay presented a most melancholy spectacle after the gale, the wrecks lining its beach three deep, and consisting, for the most part, of vessels of the largest tonnage, which had sought shelter within the then unfinished breakwater from the fury of the clements. During the gale of the 26th and 27th ultimo but one vessel, a schooner, which broke adrift from her moorings, was driven ashore under Mount Batten. The lowest reading of the barometer, at an elevation of about 30 feet above the mean level of the sea, which I observed, was 29.12 at a quarter past two in the morning; exceeding, by an inch and a quarter, the maximum depression observed in 1824. The following extract from my diary, though very imperfect, may be interesting for comparison with that of 1824:

WHILE recently constructing a galvanic battery, an arrangement suggested itself which I have found very convenient and easily constructed, as one wooden

screw secures an effectual connexion between twenty or more plates, dispensing altogether with brass binding-screws, mercurial cups, or soldering the joints. As any person may easily and cheaply construct an efficient and durable battery, I send you a description of my arrangement, to publish if you think it of any value. Figure 1 represents the plates of zinc; for the negative metal I use plates of cast-iron, of the same shape but a little larger, about five inches square and one-eighth thick, and made like a grating, with the bars three-eighths of an inch apart; these an iron-founder cast for me at about one penny each; but of course plates of copper, &c, may be used instead. Figure is a piece of wood, the size of which must be regulated by the size and number of the plates. A is a piece very firmly fixed to this with a female screw, in which a wooden screw F works. Figure 3 is a section of 2 at the end B; the size at C to be regulated by the plates at D. Figure 4 is a strip of copper, a little narrower than the groove at C. Figure 5 is the same, bent so that the plates at D fit into E; plates of gutta percha, or varnished wood, must be prepared, the same shape as the zinc; but six inches and a half or seven inches square, and some small squares of gutta-percha, the same width as the coppers, and as thick as it is intended the plates should be asunder: the piece of wood at B is moveable, and the width of the groove C.

To arrange the battery, place an iron plate in one of the coppers at E, slide it on a little way at B, next place one of the small pieces of gutta percha in the grove; next, one of the zinc plates in the copper, fig. 7, with the wire attached as the pole of the battery; then another small piece of gutta percha; then another iron plate in the second interval of the copper, fig. 5; then a large plate of gutta percha; then another iron in the first interval of another copper, fig. 5; then another small square of gutta percha; then a zinc plate in the last interval of the first copper, and so on for the number of plates required; ending with the copper, fig. 6, as the other pole, in which, of course, will be two iron plates; when all the plates have been slid on the wood, fig. 2, replace the small piece B, and screw the whole tight together. Thus you will have a compact battery, which can be plunged at once into the liquid and removed as quickly. No dividing cells will be required, as each zinc has iron on both sides, and the gutta percha plates dividing the contiguous iron plates, will be, as proved by Faraday, effectual isolaters. The advantages of this battery are cheap materials, easy construction, great compactness, only requiring a varnished wooden trough in which it can be placed complete in an instant, and removed the moment the current is not required.

If Mr. M. Roberts's arrangement, described in Noad's Lectures, and in Lardner and Walker's Treatise is feasible, the peculiarity of which is using both sides of both plates, this battery can be so modified and the large gutta percha plates be dispensed with; an equal number of zinc and iron plates would then be required, and the middle interval of the coppers, fig. 5, be lispensed with; but although published by so respectable authorities, I doubt this arrangement, not only because I have failed myself in applying it advantageously, but A. Crosse, Esq., of Broomfield, has expressed to me his opinion of its incorrectness, and it was also, some time since, questioned in Sturgeon's Annals and in the Mechanic's Magazine,

Dunster, Dec. 11, 1852.

NOTE ON THE PREPARATION OF LIQUID GLUE.

BY M. S. DUMOULIN.

ALL chemists are aware, that when a solution of glue (gelatine) is heated and cooled several times in contact with the air, it loses the property of forming a jelly. M. Gmelin observed, that a solution of isinglass, enclosed in a sealed glass tube and kept in a state of ebullition on the water-bath for several days, presented the same phenomenon, that is to say, the glue remained fluid, and did not form a jelly.

The change thus produced is one of the problems most difficult of solution in organic chemistry. It may be supposed, however, that, in the alteration which the glue undergoes, the oxygen of the air or of the water plays a principal part; what leads me to think this is the effect produced upon glue by a small quantity of nitric acid. It is well known, that by treating gelatine with an excess of this acid, it is converted by heat into malic and oxalic acids, fatty matter, tannin, &c. But it is not thus when this glue is treated with its weight of water and with a small quantity of nitric acid; by this means glue is obtained which preserves nearly all its primitive qualities, but which has no longer the power of forming a jelly. Upon this process, which I communicated, is founded the Parisian manufacture of the glue which is sold in France under the title of "colle liquide et inalterablé.”

This glue being very convenient for cabinet-makers, joiners, pasteboard-workers, toy-makers, and others, as it is applied cold, I think it my duty, in order to increase its manufacture, to publish the process.

It consists in taking one kilogrm. of glue, and dissolving it in one litre of water in a glazed pot over a gentle fire, or, what is better, in the water-bath, stirring it from time to time. When all the glue is melted, 200 grms. of nitric acid (spec. grav. 1.32) are to be poured in, in small quantities at a time. This addition produces an effervescence, owing to the disengagement of hyponitrous acid. When all the acid is added, the vessel is to be taken from the fire, and left to cool.

I have kept the glue, thus prepared, in an open vessel during more than two years, without its undergoing any change. It is very convenient in chemical operations. I use it with advantage in my laboratory for the preservation of various gases, by covering strips of linen with it.—Comptes Rendus, Sept. 27, 1852, p. 444, and Chemical Gazette.

ON THE ACTION OF ALKALIES ON SUGAR.

BY DR. FR. MICHAELIS.

(Concluded from page 350.)

THE potash lye employed in the preceding experiments being entirely consumed, a fresh quantity was prepared, having, at 17.5° C. (63.5 F.), a specific gravity of 1.0581, and containing 4.52 per cent. potash. 70.022 grms. of potash lye (equal to 3.165 grms. potash); 82.553 grms. of water; and 50.000 grms. of sugar carefully dissolved and heated to 70° R. (189.5 F.), were, after having become cold, restored by water to the original weight of 202.575 grms., and a portion filtered; specific gravity at 16.5° C. (61.7 F.) 1.12555; colouration in the polarization tube brownish yellow; right-handed rotation 94 per cent. according to Soleil, 36° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 92.31 per cent. of sugar.

101.787 of the original liquid were neutralized with bone charcoal, heated to 70°R., (189.5 F.) the weight restored by water, and filtered; specific gravity at 16.5° C. (61.7 F.) 1.13230; right-handed rotation 98 per cent. according to Soleil, 37.0° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 94.87 per cent. of sugar.

82.8 grms. were filtered through 10.35 grms. of bone charcoal; specific gravity at 16.5° C. (61.7 F.) 1.13075; in the polarization tube almost colourless; right-handed rotation 97 per cent. according to Soleil, 38° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 97.43 per cent. of sugar.

70.022 grms. potash lye, 83.553 grms. of water, and 50.000 grms. of sugar, were carefully dissolved and boiled up. When cold the weight was restored by water, and 100.2 grms. of the solution mixed with 12.3 grms. bone charcoal and filtered; specific gravity at 16.5° C. (61.7 F.) 1.125; colour in the polarization tube brownish; right-handed rotation 93 per cent. according to Soleil, 35.5° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 91.03 per cent. of sugar.

101.787 grms. of the saccharine solution were treated by carbonic acid, the mixture boiled, the weight restored by water after cooling, 12.5 grms. bone charcoal added, and the liquid filtered; specific gravity at 16.5° C. (61.7 F.) 1.13080; in the polarization tube a slight yellowish colouration; right-handed rotation 96 per cent. according to Soleil, 37° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 94.87 per cent. of sugar. 70.022 grms. of potash lye, 83.553 grms. of water, and 50.000 grms. of sugar having been carefully dissolved and boiled down at 83° R. (218.75 F.), the residue was, after having become cold, restored by water to the original weight of the solution, and 101.787 grms. of the liquid mixed with 12.5 grms. bone charcoal

and filtered; specific gravity at 16.5° C. (61.7 F.) 1.1251; brownish colouration in the polarization tube; right-handed rotation 93 per cent. according to Soleil, 35° according to Mitscherlich equal to 89.74 per cent. of sugar.

101.787 grms. of the filtered liquid were neutralized by carbonic acid, the liquid boiled, and left to become cold, the original weight restored by water, 12.5 grms. bone charcoal added and filtered; specific gravity at 16.5° C. (61.7 F.) 1.13095; yellowish colouration in the polarization tube; right-handed rotation 96 per cent. according to Soleil, 36.5° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 93.59 per cent. of sugar. A mixture of 140.044 grms. potash lye, 167.906 grms. of water, and 100.000 grms. of sugar was heated to 70°, the weight restored by water, and a portion of it filtered; specific gravity at 13° C. (55.4 F.) 1.12230; brownish yellow colouration in the polarization tube; right-handed rotation 94 per cent. according to Soleil, 36° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 92.31 per cent. of sugar.

The unfiltered residue of the last liquid was saturated with carbonic acid, heated to 70°, and the weight restored by water; specific gravity at 15° C. (55.4 F.) 1.12720 ; in the polarization tube the liquid had a yellowish tinge; right-handed rotation 98 per cent. according to Soleil, 37° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 94.87 per cent. of sugar.

200 grms. of the liquid, mixed with 49.124 grms. of bone charcoal and filtered; specific gravity at 13° C. (55.4 F.) 1.12605; in the polarization tube the liquid appeared clear like water; right-handed rotation 97 per cent. according to Soleil, 38° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 97.43 per cent. of sugar.

140.044 grms. of potash lye, 167.106 grms. of water, and 100.000 grms. of sugar were dissolved and boiled; when cold the weight was restored by water, and a small quantity of the liquid filtered; specific gravity at 134 C. (56.3 F.) 1.12230; colouration in the polarization tube brownish-yellow; right polarization ninety-four per cent. according to Soleil, 344° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 88.46 per cent. of sugar. 294 grms. of the unfiltered liquid were saturated with carbonic acid, boiled up, and the original weight restored by the addition of water to the cold residue. A portion of this liquid filtered had, at 134° C. (56.3 F.), a specific gravity of 1.12710; in the polarization tube it appeared less intensely brownish-yellow; right-handed rotation 97 per cent. according to Soleil, 36° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 92.31 per cent. of sugar.

200 grms. of the unfiltered liquid, mixed with 49.124 grms. of finely-powdered bone charcoal and filtered; colouration in the polarization tube slightly yellowish; right-handed rotation 76 per cent. according to Soleil, 37° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 94.87 per cent. of sugar.

75.000 grms. of sugar; 24.733 grms. of potash lye, containing 1.484 grms. of caustic potash; 400.782 grms. of water; 1.613 grms. of burnt Carrara marble, in 500 parts of beet-juice (lime and potash are generally contained in the proportions given above, if, instead of the soda, which is also contained in juice, one equivalent of potash be taken) were cautiously mixed and boiled up, and carbonic acid conducted in the solution, till the carbonate of lime commenced to redissolve; the liquid was then boiled, the weight raised by water to 504.083 grms. and filtered; specific gravity at 21° C. (69.8 F.) 1.06425; colouration slightly yellow; right-handed rotation 57 per cent. according to Soleil, equal to 14.87 per cent. of sugar; 22° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 14.78 per cent. of sugar.

38.011 grms. of potash lye, 41.776 grms. of water, 25.000 grms. of sugar, and 33.000 grms. of recently precipitated oxide of iron were carefully mixed and heated to 76° R. (20.3 F.), when the oxide of iron became completely dissolved. The solution had the dark colour of a solution of acetate of iron; it was neutralized with carbonic acid, heated to 70° R. (189.5 F.), the cold residue was raised to the original weight, mixed with twenty-five grms. of charcoal and filtered. Specific gravity at 18° C. (64.4 F.) 1.12435; brownish-yellow colouration in the polarization tube; righthanded rotation 96 per cent. according to Soleil, 35° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 87.74 per cent. of sugar.

The boiled solution of 35.011 grms. of potash lye, 41.776 grms. of water, 25.000 grms. of sugar, and 00.033 grms. of oxide of iron, was neutralized with carbonic acid, the cold residue increased by water to the weight of 101.820 grms., mixed with twenty-five grms. of charcoal and filtered; but the colour of the liquid being still too dark brown to determine its polarization, twenty-five grms. of charcoal more were added, and the liquid again filtered. Specific gravity at 16° C. (61.7 F.) 1.12120;

colour in the polarization tube brownish yellow; right-handed rotation 96 per cent. according to Soleil, 35° according to Mitscherlich, equal to 89.74 per cent. of sugar. These experiments show that when caustic potash is mixed with a saccharine solution containing more sugar than can chemically combine with the potash, which for one part of potash amounts to 8.422 parts of sugar, then,

1. The potash destroys the polarizing property of the sugar which is combined with it, and one part of potash causes the polarization of 0.90 parts of sugar according to Soleil, and of 1.21 parts according to Mitscherlich, to disappear.

2. When such a solution is heated to 70° R. (189.5 F.), and neutralized by an acid, only a portion of the sugar combined with the potash regains its polarizing property. For one part of potash the polarizing property is lost in 0.47 parts of sugar according to Soleil, and in 0.40 parts according to Mitscherlich.

3. If the solution be boiled and neutralized by an acid, 0.63 parts of sugar according to Soleil, or 0.81 parts according to Mitscherlich, lose their polarizing property for one part of potash.

4. If the solution be boiled down to 83° R. (218.75 F.), and neutralized by an acid, 0.63 parts of sugar according to Soleil, or 1.01 according to Mitscherlich, lose their polarizing property.

5. The action of potash upon sugar is not increased by the presence of lime.

6. If oxide of iron be contained with the caustic potash in the saccharine solution, and the latter heated to 70° R. (189.5 F.), and neutralized by an acid, the loss of polarizing sugar amounts to 0.63 parts according to Soleil, and to 1.62 parts according to Mitscherlich, for one part of potash.

7. If oxide of iron be present with potash in the saccharine solution, and the latter be boiled and neutralized by an acid, the loss of polarizing sugar for one part of potash is, according to Soleil 0.63 parts, according to Mitscherlich 1.62 parts. Moreover, these experiments show that

8. Boracic acid is at common temperature unable to separate sugar from potash. 9. In order to obtain correct results by Soleil's and Mitscherlich's instruments, the liquid must be perfectly clear like water, otherwise, if it be coloured, that of the first indicates more sugar than the liquid actually contains, that of the latter less. With slightly coloured liquids the medium of the proportions indicated by both instruments approaches nearest to the truth. For sugar manufactories Mitscherlich's instrument is to be recommended, on account of its cheapness, the price being only twenty-four Prussian dollars (£3 12s.), whilst that of Soleil's costs ninety-five dollars £14 58.)

On the other hand, however, it cannot be denied, that for colourless liquids the power of polarization can be more accurately determined by Soleil's instrument than by that of Mitscherlich. For very correct examinations it might therefore be advisable to employ both instruments simultaneously.

3. Action of Carbonate of Potash on Sugar.-297.774 grms. of water, 5,000 grms of carbonate of potash, and 100.000 grms. of sugar were carefully dissolved, and fifty grms. of this solution filtered. At 1240 C. (54.5 F.) the filtrate had a specific gravity of 1.11845, appeared in the tube clear like water, and rotated to the right, according to Soleil 100 per cent., according to Mitscherlich 39°, equal to 100 per cent. of sugar. The residue of the liquid was heated to 70° R. (189.5 F.) After having become cold the original weight was restored by water, and fifty grms. of it filtered. At 13° C. (56.3 F.) the liquid had a specific gravity of 1.11830, a slightly yellowish colour in the polarization tube, and rotated to the right, according to Soleil 100 per cent., according to Mitscherlich 39°, equal to 100 per cent. of sugar.

The remaining unfiltered liquid was reboiled, the original weight restored by water, and a small quantity of it filtered, had at 134° C. (56.3 F.) a specific gravity of 1.11830; in the tube it appeared somewhat more intensely yellowish than the foregoing, and rotated to the right, according to Soleil 99 per cent. C., according to Mitscherlich 38°, equal to 98.72 per cent. of sugar.

The remainder of the last liquid was boiled down to 83° R. (218.75 F.), the former weight restored by water, and a small portion of it filtered. At 13° C. (56.3 F.) the specific gravity was 1.11835; in the tube its colour was intensely yellow, and its right-handed rotation, according to Soleil, 100 per cent., according to Mitscherlich 38°, equal to 97.43 per cent.

141.21 grms. were mixed with ten per cent. of finely powdered animal charcoal, and filtered. The liquid had now at 131° C. (56.3 F.), 1.11735 sp. gr. in the tube, a slight