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A new reagent for copper
14
Bditorial.
Action of Light on Cane Sugar Solutions.-M. RaoulP communicates the fact that a solution of cane-sugar may be converted into grape sugar (glucose) under the influence of light. The observation was made in the following manner : A concentrated aqueous solution of cane sugar was placed in glass. tubes, which were scaled while their contents were boiling. These were placed near caeh other, under the same conditions, with the sole diffi:rence that one was kopt in total darkness, while the other was exposed to the bright daylight. Several monthv later the tubes were examined, when both solutions ~crc found, under the microscope, to be free from vegetable matter. The solution, however, which had been in the light, at once gave an abundant red precipitate with a copper salt on addition of a free alkali (the test for gra,pe sugar) ; while the contents of the tube kept in the dark, gave no sign of the reaction. A a.ew Reagent for Copper.--&. Hugo Tamm announces that a mixture of the sulpho-cyanide of ammonium and bi-sulphite of ammonia in equal parts, which will keep for several months in aqueous solution without decomposition, is an admirable reagent for copper. It is volatile, and can therefore be driven off completely on evaporapulverant precipitate, a tion to dryness, it forms a very insoluble white sub-sulpho-cyanide, which can readily be washed, and it affects scarcely any other metal which may happen to be present.
The Source of Nerve Force,?--Mr. J. St. Clair Gray is the author of a view concerning the origin of nerve force, which he is very judiciously endeavoring to verify by actual experiment. The: author, starting from the assumption that this power had in it an electrical element, arrived finally at the conclusion that its source is to be sought for in the sulphur and phosphorus in the anima#l system. It is well known that phosphorus exists in considerable quantity in the brain, and that sulphur is present in the liver, while an alkaline fluid is in constant circulation between them, To determine the fact as to whether a combination of similar elcments would generate an electric current, hc constructed a cell containing caustic potassa, in which were placed sticks of sulphur and phosphorus. Chemical action very soon set in. The phosphorus was soon converted into an oily mass, the sulphur gradually wasted away * Comptes Rendos, Oct. 30th, 1871. -f English Mechanic,
xiv, 317.
Bditorial.
Action of Light on Cane Sugar Solutions.-M. RaoulP communicates the fact that a solution of cane-sugar may be converted into grape sugar (glucose) under the influence of light. The observation was made in the following manner : A concentrated aqueous solution of cane sugar was placed in glass. tubes, which were scaled while their contents were boiling. These were placed near caeh other, under the same conditions, with the sole diffi:rence that one was kopt in total darkness, while the other was exposed to the bright daylight. Several monthv later the tubes were examined, when both solutions ~crc found, under the microscope, to be free from vegetable matter. The solution, however, which had been in the light, at once gave an abundant red precipitate with a copper salt on addition of a free alkali (the test for gra,pe sugar) ; while the contents of the tube kept in the dark, gave no sign of the reaction. A a.ew Reagent for Copper.--&. Hugo Tamm announces that a mixture of the sulpho-cyanide of ammonium and bi-sulphite of ammonia in equal parts, which will keep for several months in aqueous solution without decomposition, is an admirable reagent for copper. It is volatile, and can therefore be driven off completely on evaporapulverant precipitate, a tion to dryness, it forms a very insoluble white sub-sulpho-cyanide, which can readily be washed, and it affects scarcely any other metal which may happen to be present.
The Source of Nerve Force,?--Mr. J. St. Clair Gray is the author of a view concerning the origin of nerve force, which he is very judiciously endeavoring to verify by actual experiment. The: author, starting from the assumption that this power had in it an electrical element, arrived finally at the conclusion that its source is to be sought for in the sulphur and phosphorus in the anima#l system. It is well known that phosphorus exists in considerable quantity in the brain, and that sulphur is present in the liver, while an alkaline fluid is in constant circulation between them, To determine the fact as to whether a combination of similar elcments would generate an electric current, hc constructed a cell containing caustic potassa, in which were placed sticks of sulphur and phosphorus. Chemical action very soon set in. The phosphorus was soon converted into an oily mass, the sulphur gradually wasted away * Comptes Rendos, Oct. 30th, 1871. -f English Mechanic,
xiv, 317.