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. M▲BERY 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 TERMS. COMMITTEE ON WATER ANALYSIS. OFFICERS OF SECTION D. Vice President. C. J. H. WOODBURY of Boston, Mass. Secretary. ARTHUR BEARDSLEY of Swarthmore, Pa. Member of Council. OLIN H. LANDRETH of Nashville, Tenn. Members of Sectional Committee. WILLIAM HARKNESS of Washington, WM. A. ROGERS of Waterville, Me. OLIN H. LANDRETH of Nashville, Tenn. Member of Nominating Committee. JAMES E. DENTON of Hoboken, N. J. Members of Sub-committee on Nominations. JEROME L. BOYER of Reading, Pa., W. R. WARNER of Cleveland, Ohio, ALBERT A. CARY of New York. |