Star.
London, England, 1823-11-04 00:00:00

ELEC IROIG ALV A N ISAL
On some newly•discovared remarkable Properties of the Prottaide
Dahllztd Sulphuret, and Metallic Powder of Platinum. By
Professor DSZOFLEI:4ISe.
" I have already proved that the protoxide of plati-
num obtained by Edmund Davy's method has the pre-
perty of causing alcohol, placed in contact with it, to
attract oxygen gas, and to become converted into acetic
acid and' water ; and that this property is likewise po.-
sessed by the otidizerksulphtiret of platinuni, prepared
by treating a solution, of that metal with sulphuretted
tydrogen, and expoAng is a All state' tliesdlogauret
formed by that means, to the actiOn.of atitititpheric air,
for some weeks. In this very remarkable process 1 atom
(=49) of alcohol combines with 4 atoms I=4 x B=3, 2)1
of oxygen, and for mt with it 1 atom (:-.-_5l) of acetic
acid, and 3 atoms (=3 x 9=27) of water ; that is to say,'
equal volumes of the vapour of alcohol and oxygen gas,
become equal volumes of acetic' acid and aqueous va-
pour ; for I atom of water is requisite to the isolated
existence of acetic acid. The respective proportions in
vhich acetic acid and water appear in this case, are
oxactly the satrse as those which they hear to each other
in crystalliated sugar of lead, and also in the.subacetate
of copper ; the quantity of water in acetate of soda is
exactly double that which is contained in each of the,
former acetates.

" After having finished my experiments on,this pro-
cess of the formation of acetic acid, I took the opportu-
nitr of ascertaining the relations of the two above-
named ,preparations of platinum to different elastic
fluids. The results of the experiments instituted for that
purpose are interesting; for I found, 1
" 1. That neither oxygen nor carbonic acid gas was
absorbed by the protoxide, or by the oxidized sulphu-
ret of platinum; but that those substances absorbed
every inflammable gas.
2. That 100 grains of protoxide of platinum ab-
sorb from 15 to 20 cubic inches of hydrogen gas, dur-
ing which absorption so much caloric is evolved, that
the protoxide becomes ignited, and the hydrogen burns
with detonation, as if it had been previously mixed with
oxygen or with atmospheric air.
" The preparation of platinum, charged with hydro-
gen, has the property of greedily attracting as much
oxygen gas as is requisite for the saturation of the hy-
drogen it contains. lf atmospheric air, therefore, be
sp,ffered to enter the tube containing it, it instantly de-
prives it of its oxygen, and even forms ammonia with
a portion of, the residual nitrogen, if there be not suffi-
cient oxygen present for its saturation. By this agency
the oxide of platinum is reduced, and thereby loses its
remarkable property of disposing alcohol to become
acetic acid, and also that of condensing hydrogen gas;
but,.what is very rental kable, it retains the property of
determining the latter substance to the state in which it
combines with oxygen gas, and becomes water; and so
much beat is evolved during this combination, that if
the hydrogen gas be mixed with pure oxygen, and the
volume of the mixture be rather large, the platinum
becomes red-hat. I could not but conclude, from this
most remarkable phenomenon, that the finely-divided
metallic platinum which is produced by the igneous
decomposition of the a mmonia-mmiate, would perhaps
exhibit this singular effect upon the detonating mixture;
and, to my great satisfaction, this supposition was con-
firmed by the experiment. Some platinum powder,
prepared from die saline precipitate just named, was
wrapped tip in white blotting-paper, anclbronght into
contact with the hydrogen gas; and, as might be ex-
pected, no absorption took place, nor any other percep-
tible mutual action. Upon this I caused atmospheric
air to have access to the platinum powder in contact
with the hydrogen, and, after the lapse of a -few mo.-
meats, that remarkable re-action took place; viz. the
gas diminished in volume; and in ten minutes all the
oxygen of the atmospheric air admitted had condensed
with the hydrogen into water. I afterwards mixed pure
oxygen gas with the hydrogen in contact with the pla-
tinum ; a condensation of both immediately took place,.
and the platinum heated to such a degree, that the
paper in which it was wrapped was suddenly charred.
These experiments were repeated about thirty times on
the same day, July 27, 182% on which I discovered this
eiemarkable phenomenon, and with the same success
every tinoe.
" What useful applications of this discovery may be
Made in oxymetry, the synthesis of water, Etc. I shall
kcireafter state more circumstantially. I shall at pre.
sent merely observe, in conclusion, that the entire phe,-
no/Swoon must be considered as an electric one, that
the hydrogen and platinum form a voltaic combina-
tioti, in eh the former represents the zinc ; the first
established instance of an electric alternation formedrby
an elastic fluid and solid substance; the application of
which will lead to further discoveries.
" I ' obtained another interesting resul in an experi-
went on the relation of the oxidized sul turet of plati-
num to carbonic oxide. I found that is gas is always
ti
diminished to half its bulk when it comes into contact
with the sulphuret, and that the remaining gas is not
carbonic oxide, but carbonic acid. The carbonic oxide
gas is therefore decarbonized by the oxidized sulphate' of
platinum, and thereby changed into carbonic aced."
a SUPPLEMENTt.
" I send you a short supplement to the paper com-
municated to you some days ago, on
.the newly disco-
vered properties of several preparations of platinum.—
That the continuation of the expel iments on. this inte-
resting subject would lead to new discoveries was to be
expected. I merely mention to-day, that I have suc-
ceeded in making the observed dynamic relation of the'
plsitintlm powder to the hydrogen gas, appear in a very'
splendid menner by experiment. If hydrogen gas be

sportrzivo_E__7•4l.4l,GENQE.
BlITTIN9aR00117;'11311•1114,•:NOV..3.
Thts behsgaaying and reeelVtleg 414, Wier be • Blovgbtoes Meet.
kilattekiels easeluded the. Newmarket, litereefor the. patient season,
rew to the Subscription-room a good sheer of odeentievers on the
ITurf, but by no meats sti peat •Ils oti the pesioas settling-days
sitter the great Stakes of this.year. Tkeenly tree way of account-
leg for it is, them were no Kates of any particular note last week
(the principal betting took plate Oa the ground, and was there
finished) ; however, what sums eachanget-masters seemed to be as
cheerfully given 113 tatived•—•ell was right ; and now the specula-
tors may close their old bookstand-open their new nue' for a fresh
start ad libitum. There was but trifiinreminess done to-day as to
fresh engagements; what took place wars principally on the Rid-
dlesworth and Derby. The Oaks at all times at this period of the
year, and until just before Rpsetn flaunt, is looked at shily, in cosy-
sequence of the ticklish state of fillies. The Doncaster St. Leger
now stands at a distant date, and starcely worth entrivs in a sport-
ing man's book. Particulars, as nearly as we can ascertain, as to
the present odds we subjoin :
RIJ3DLERWORTMI.
S to 2 agst Reformer

Si to 1 aw,;st Leyerneua

6 to 1 apt Swiss
7 to 1 agbt Reformer
13 to 1 apt Cychaus

15 to 1 ag<t Cressida
18 to 1 agst Corinne
Oara.—No alteration s
ItilloA STIR

10 to 1 agst Akisidora filly
12 to 1 agst Miller of .Mansfield
13 to 1 apt Swiss

5i to 1 agst Dbn Carlos
6 tot agst quadrille
tar.
lb to 1 apt Don Carlos
St to 1 apt Vesta
' 43 to 1 agst Reticule c.
95 to 1 agst Reserve
30 to I agst say other.
ince our laat account.
ST. LIMES.
SS SO I apt Streatham
30 to 1 apt ItAnglet.

INGLEIVOOD HUNT AND PENRITH MEETING.
WEDNESOAT, OCT. 22.
Fifty Pounds for all agei. • Two-mile heats.
Sir P. Musgrave. br. c. by Comus, 3 yrs, 6st. 101 b. 1 1
Mr. Smith's gr. g. Hussar, 3 yrs, 6it. 71b. - 3 2
Mr. Hodgson 's ch. g. Peveril of the Peak, 4 yrs, 7st. tn. 4 3
Mr. Harrison's ch. f. My Lady, 3 yrs, 6st. 71b. - 2 4
Even on ilussar, who lust two hundred yards in the start for the
second heat.

Sweepstakes of 5 v. each, with 20 gs. added, for hortes, &c. not
thorough-bred. Two-mile heats. (h:ig: t Subscribers).
Mr. T. Hudson's b. g. Charles, 5 yrs, 12st. - 1 1
Mr. G. Musgrave's b. 1. Whizgig, 4 yrs, list. Mb. - 3 2
Mr. E. HaselN b. en. Wald of the Mill, 5 yrs, 12st. 2 3
Mr. F. liretherton's br. g. Hopeful, 6 yes, list. 111 b. 0 4
ratosv, OCT. 24.
Fifty Pounds for all ages. Three-mile heats.
Mr. Heseltine s gr. m. by Comm, 5 yrs, 13u. 5"..t. 2 1 1
Sir P. Musgrave's br. e. by C,onius, 3 yrs, 7st. - 1 2 2
Mr. Smith's gr. g. by Whisker, 3 yrs, 6st. 71b. - 3 fell
Mr. Slater's br. 1. Sister to Sir Henry, 3 yrs, 7st. 4 fell
Sweepstakes of .sgs. each, with 20gs. added, for horses, &c. not
thorough-bred. Two-mile heats. (11 Subscribers).
Sir P. Musgrave's br. h. Tom Paine, 5 yrs, ilst.lolb. 0 1 1
Mr. blonkhouse's hr. f. Collins, 4 yrs, 2st. - 1 0 o
Mr. Btetherton's eh. g. Mercury, aged, 9st. 916. 0 2 2
Mr. Hudson's b. g. Charles, 5 yrs, ilst. 81b. - 2 3 3
Mr. Shipley's f. by President, 3 yrs, 6st. 71b. - 3 0 0
The Silver Cup, value, £35, fur Yeomanry horses, ace. Two
mile heats.
-- -- .

Mr. Margetson's cb. h. Theodolite, aged, list. - 1 3 1
Mr. Hobson's b. h. Spareribs, aged, list. • - 1
Mr. Jopp's b. tn. Maid of the Mill, 5 yrs, list. 71b. 0 2 3
Mr—Hodssoa's br. h. Bachelor, 4 yrs, list. - 5 5 0
Mr. Atkinson's ch. g. Fogleman, aged, list. - 2 4 fell

HUNTING.

- - -
Hie Majesty's Stag Hounds will meet on Friday, at Maidenhead
Thicket.

The Earl of Darlington's Fox-hounds meet on Friday, aeHut-
ton Moor; Saturday, at Theakston Plantations.
The Earl of Harewuod's Fox-hounds meet on Friday, at Cross-
roads, Bramham Moor.

The Lambton Fox-hounds meet on Thursday, at Gargle House;
Friday, at Burimpside ; Monday, at Sedgefield.
York and Meaty Fox-bounds meet on Friday, at Wigginton Bar.
The Llevelind Fox•boundmmeet on Friday, at Bliddlesburgh.
The Oakley Hounds will meet on Wednesday, at Ampfhill P.irk;s
and,on Friday, at Snelson Ground.
The Cottesmore Hounds will meet. on Thursday, at Witchley
Warren; and on Friday, at Grebthani
The South Wold Subscription Hounds on Thursday, at, the Kel.
nel; and on Saturday, at Tumby Swan.
The Quorn Hounds have had several severe runs during the last
fortnight. Several Noblemen and Gentlemen have already arrived
at Melton Mowbray to enjoy the sports of. the, field, and niany
others are expected this week. The sport was never known so
good at the commencement of the season.
Lord Yarborough's Hounds meet to-morrow at Wootton House;
at Redbourne House, on Friday; and at litixtonWoed, on Saturday.
Mr. Meynell's Fox Hounds meet on Thursday, five miles on the
Mansfield-road; and on Saturday, at Radborne.
His Grace the Duke of Portland, with his accustomed liberality,
again allows the inhabitants of Mansfield the privilege of coursing
once a fortnight over his Lordship's manor at Clipstone.

TWEEDDALE COURSING CLUB.
FOIL THE COUPLE'S.-TIBET CLAIM

lit Course.—Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichaol's yellow b. Snail
beat Sir Geo. Montgomery's black b. Lightfoot.—llare killed.
24 Course.—Mr. Ker of Kerrield's black d. Claret beat. Mr.
William Allen's brown d. Oscar.—Hare killed.
3d Course.—Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael's bLick d. Satan
beat Mr. Aitchison's brindled d. Nimrod.
4th Course.—Mr. Thomas Allan's brown anti white b. Malvin
;seat Mr. Archibald Montgomery's black d. Rattler.—Hare killed.
Bth Course.—Mr. Ker of Kerfield's black b. Fly beat Mr. Aitchi-
pen. black and white b. Jane.—Hare killed.

*mous CLAN.
lat Course.—Mr.Ker's Claret beat Sir Thos. G. Carmichaers
I.—Hare killed.
1 4d Course.-4!r. Thomas Allan's Malibu beat Sir Thomas G.
Caamkhael's Satan.—hate Ker's Fly ran a bye.—
jibes killed.

2.1.1111 CLASS.
lit Course—e Mr. Ker's Claret beat Mr. Thos. Allan's Mabrina,
sod won the Couples.—Hare

toll TIM ironnersTAl

let Coarse.-Mr. Ker of Kkrfield's bl. b. Curbs beat Mr.Camp-
ball of Kai br. b. Fly.—Hare killed.
• Ed Course—Mr. Wm. Allan's br. b. Wellington beat Mr. Aka+
eon's yellow d. Oscar.—Hare killed.
Ed Course—sr Thomas G. Carmichael's brown and white b.
Swallow beat Mr. Thomas Allan's black mad wiske JD.
Hare, kill.
4th Course—Ur Areb. Montgomery's black d. Tickler belt
Geo. Montgomery's brown b. Nublet. Hare killed.

THE GAME QV GOI.F.
Sr. Awneries.—J. W. lifetvittat, Esq. of Mount Melville, was
chosen on Wednesday Captain of.the St. Anatevijs Gollintlioelety
for the ensuing year. The twu silver elobi belonging to the Society
were, as umal, carried from the Black Belt Inn, thtougb the streets
to the golfing ground, at twelve o'clock, accompanied by a band of
music and the Members of the Club. We have not before ram*rked
so numerous a meeting of Golfer* upoithe Lake as Spoitahis day.
,The Gold Medal given by the Beotscraig Gag Gioia iris played•tur
over the Garpit Links, on Tuesday the lath ult; when after a very
ikoen and close contest, in 'which a number of tfie.firat prayers in
tarried of by 'Major Hui.-