first distillate from a bi-carbonated water should not be less than 2.5 cc. for 50 cc. of distillate. In conclusion, the adoption of a regular method of procedure in the use of the ammonia process is urged upon the association to secure uniform and comparable results from different workers. The adoption of the methods of stating results of water analysis reported last year will be of little advantage unless followed by such a revision and adoption of methods of procedure as shall render the results definite; the work of different chemists being comparable only when based upon constant and uniform conditions. PRELIMINARY NOTE UPON IODINE AS A REAGENT IN THE ANALYSIS OF DRINKING WATER. By Prof. FRANK H. MORGAN, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. [ABSTRACT.] A DILUTE solution (%) of iodine, in presence of sulphuric acid, acts in a significant manner, bearing a definite relation to the character of the water treated. While permanganate of potash in acid solution acts on nearly all classes of organic bodies, iodine in acid solution has a more limited and specific action. The procedure, which has given satisfactory results, consists mainly in adding a measured amount of iodine solution to 100 cc. of the water or solution to be treated, acidifying with sulphuric acid, and subjecting to any desired temperature (generally 100° C.) in hermetically sealed flasks. After a definite time the flask is cooled, opened, and the iodine absorbed determined by titrating the free iodine by thiosulphate. A sewage, which by the permanganate process consumed KMnO, equivalent to 23.7 p.p. m. of oxygen. absorbed iodine 66 7.4 66.66 66 66 SOME MODIFICATIONS OF THE METHODS OF ORGANIC ANALYSIS BY COMBUSTION. By Prof. WM. L. DUDLEY, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. [ABSTRACT.'] SOLID Substances are burned in a porcelain or platinum boat contained in a platinum or glass tube which is open at both ends. One end is connected with the calcium chloride tube and potash bulbs in the usual manner, and the other with apparatus to purify and dry the air and oxygen which are passed through the tube during the combustion. The tube is 1 The full paper will be printed in the American Chemical Journal. A. A. A. 8. VOL. XXXVII. 9 filled one-third full of granulated oxide of manganese prepared by strongly heating the nitrate over a blast lamp. The boat containing the substance is introduced, the collecting bulbs and tube are attached, and a current of air is passed through the apparatus. The burners are lighted under both ends of the tube and the substance is approached in the usual way. The combustion is finished in a current of oxygen. Non-volatile liquids are placed in a boat and treated in substantially the same manner as solids. Volatile liquids are weighed in a bulb having two tubes (each opposite the other) which are attached by rubber tubing to and between the gas purifying apparatus and the combustion tube which is filled about twothirds full of oxide of manganese. The combustion tube is heated to redness, and a current of dry nitrogen is passed through the apparatus to act as a carrier for the volatile liquid which is slightly warmed. When all of the liquid has passed into the tube a current of oxygen is turned on to complete the combustion. PRELIMINARY NOTE ON THE FINAL PRODUCT OF THE ACTION OF CONCENTRATED SULPHURIC ACID ON SUGAR. By Prof. FRANK H. MORGAN, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. [ABSTRACT.] In some experiments on the solution of carbon by the action of concentrated sulphuric acid and potassium chlorate, the writer had occasion to analyze various products of the action of sugar and sulphuric acid; the composition of these products led him to treat sugar with boiling concentrated sulphuric acid to see how nearly pure carbon could be obtained in this way. The final product obtained, upon which the acid had no more action, has an ultimate composition almost identical with Brodie's graphic acid upon which he based his determination of the atomic weight of "graphon". Further work is necessary to prove the constancy of this result. THE CHEMISTRY OF FISH. By Prof. W. O. ATWATER, Middletown, Conn. [ABSTRACT.] THIS paper gives results of comparisons of analyses of American and European fishes and classifications by chemical composition. THE QUANTITIES OF NITROGEN IN PROTEIN COMPOUNDS. By Prof. W. O. ATWATER, Middletown, Conn. [ABSTRACT.] THIS paper summarizes results of determinations of nitrogen in animal tissues and discusses the nitrogen-factor of protein. ON THE PRESENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF AMMONIA IN POTABLE WATERS. By Prof. E. H. S. BAILEY, Lawrence, Kan. COMPOSITION OF SALT BRINES IN NORTHERN OHIO WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS BROMINE AND LITHIUM CONTENTS. By Prof. C. F. MABERY and HERBERT H. Dow, Cleveland, Ohio. THE CRYSTALS OF BUTTER AND FATS, ILLUSTRATED BY LANTERN PICTURES. By Dr. THOMAS TAYLOR, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Washington. EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS OF ALLOYS OF CAST IRON AND ALUMINUM. By W. J. KEEP, Detroit, Mich. (By request of the Section.) THE PIERCE PROCESS OF MAKING CHARCOAL, AND EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS OF PRODUCTS. By Prof. O. H. Landreth, Nashville, Tenn. (By request of the Section.) PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF LABORATORY METHODS AND DEVICES By MEMBERS OF THE SECTION. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES : COMMITTEE ON CHEMICAL LITERATURE. COMMITTEE ON ORTHOGRAPHY AND PRONUNCIATION OF CHEMICAL COMMITTEE ON WATER ANALYSIS. |