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Production of organic compounds by electrolysis
142
Great Magn(~tic Di.~tt~rbance.
[Jour. Frank. Inst.,
Production of Organic Compounds by Electrolysis.--The experiments of Bartoli and Pap~sogli have been extended to the electrolysis of a lye of soda or potash by the aid of four to six large Bunsen cells, yielding hydromellate and probably also pyromellate. Upon the positive electrode little gas is disengaged, but there is a large accumulation upon the negative. The weight of the carbon diminishes but little. In mineral acids, such as sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric, six cells are sufficient to transfer some kilogrammes of carbon to the positive pole. After filtration the liquid does not turn brown ; the deposited carbon is a black substance with a conchoidal fracture, and presentilfg', upon its broken surface, a brilliant substance which is not produced in the alkaline liquids, and which, in oxygen, is converted, at the ordinal-V temperature, into mellitic acid and its derivatives. This substance dissolves slightly in water--better in warm water, and is precipitated by acids and mineral salts. It is also soluble in alkalies and concentrated sulphurie acid, from which it is precipitated by water. This substance is tailed mellogene or mellitogene. I t is also produced in the decomposition of tbrlnic, acetic and oxalic aeids.--La Z~emi~'e Electrique, vi, 357. C.
Great Magnetic Disturbanee.--Important magnetic disturbances were observed in France between the 6th and 20th of April. On several days the telegraphic lines in nearly all directions were traversed by accidental currents; at certain hours the interruption was so great that despatches could only be sent on closed circuits with but a single earth contact. The international lines gave the same results;: it is therefore probable that there was a magnetic storm of great extent, of wMch the eft~ct~ were felt in the whole northern hemisphere. Phenomena of this kind are of great importance in the study of terrestrial magnetisln. Mas(.art has recorded the principal phases as they were observed at the College de France, and has given a description of his apparatus. The storm did not break out suddenly; it was heralded for several days by an almost constant agitation of the magnetic needle. The first great shock began at l l h . 45m. P. M. on April 16, and affected simultaneously the three elements of declinatlon, inclination, and intensity. Another similar shock occurred on the 20th. During the whole time the register of atmospheric electricity did not show any disturbance which seemed to be connected with the magnetic phenomena.-- Coml)te~. Rendus, xcl v, 1173. C~
Great Magn(~tic Di.~tt~rbance.
[Jour. Frank. Inst.,
Production of Organic Compounds by Electrolysis.--The experiments of Bartoli and Pap~sogli have been extended to the electrolysis of a lye of soda or potash by the aid of four to six large Bunsen cells, yielding hydromellate and probably also pyromellate. Upon the positive electrode little gas is disengaged, but there is a large accumulation upon the negative. The weight of the carbon diminishes but little. In mineral acids, such as sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric, six cells are sufficient to transfer some kilogrammes of carbon to the positive pole. After filtration the liquid does not turn brown ; the deposited carbon is a black substance with a conchoidal fracture, and presentilfg', upon its broken surface, a brilliant substance which is not produced in the alkaline liquids, and which, in oxygen, is converted, at the ordinal-V temperature, into mellitic acid and its derivatives. This substance dissolves slightly in water--better in warm water, and is precipitated by acids and mineral salts. It is also soluble in alkalies and concentrated sulphurie acid, from which it is precipitated by water. This substance is tailed mellogene or mellitogene. I t is also produced in the decomposition of tbrlnic, acetic and oxalic aeids.--La Z~emi~'e Electrique, vi, 357. C.
Great Magnetic Disturbanee.--Important magnetic disturbances were observed in France between the 6th and 20th of April. On several days the telegraphic lines in nearly all directions were traversed by accidental currents; at certain hours the interruption was so great that despatches could only be sent on closed circuits with but a single earth contact. The international lines gave the same results;: it is therefore probable that there was a magnetic storm of great extent, of wMch the eft~ct~ were felt in the whole northern hemisphere. Phenomena of this kind are of great importance in the study of terrestrial magnetisln. Mas(.art has recorded the principal phases as they were observed at the College de France, and has given a description of his apparatus. The storm did not break out suddenly; it was heralded for several days by an almost constant agitation of the magnetic needle. The first great shock began at l l h . 45m. P. M. on April 16, and affected simultaneously the three elements of declinatlon, inclination, and intensity. Another similar shock occurred on the 20th. During the whole time the register of atmospheric electricity did not show any disturbance which seemed to be connected with the magnetic phenomena.-- Coml)te~. Rendus, xcl v, 1173. C~