New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-30

stpmine narcotinc codeine thebaine, nicotine, ana
coniine somewhat more slowly, brucne, colchcine,
and papaverine: and when warm, sabadllline and
some narcene. Picrot0xin is taken up much more
readily from acid than from alkaline solutions,
while morphine and solanine are taken up from
neither Further experiments showed that all these
substances absorbed from alkaline-aqueous solu-
tons by chloroforn, are given up again upon aVi-
toting II several times with acidiied water, while
the fats and other foreign matters are retained
systemaic plan for the detection OF these vegetable
poisons, based upon the aboye facts was testeu ~
mi King weighed quantities of them with suitably
selected portions of n human subject. In many
cases the whole of the poisonous matter was reco'
peculiarly satisfactory feature of the process, that
the substances we're obtained from the choroform
in such state Of purity that Immediate tests ior
their identification could be MADE.
FORMATION OF ANTIQUE PATTNA ON BRoNzEs.-
A commission appointed in 1864, at the suggestion
of the late Prof Magnus has been investigating the
conditions favorable to the formation OF patna Tor
green incrstation) on bronzes in Berlin and It's VI
entity Analysis of a collection of antique bronzes
showed that while the composition OF the bronze
does not affect the beauty Of the patna, 1T may IN
fnence the rapidity of it's formation, although the
latter il also dependent atmospheric conditions
More recent analyses of patina, AZ well as OF bronze
reveal the presence Of earths &c, in the former
which are not found in the latter; difference DUE
in the Judgment of the committee to the accumula-
ton of dust &c, rather than to artificial treatment
of the antique, as has been suggested. modern
bust simply exposed in the air for seven years, was
covered with dust and vegetation preventing the
recognition of the metal beneath while another
which had been daily sprinkled with wafer, anu
gently rubbed monthly with olive oil, acquired
latina noticeable for its beautiful dark-greenlsh
brown tint as well its transparency VI two others
tly a
olive oil, in addition to daily spIlnkihg Win "aVci,
was greatly superior in brliancy and clearness 70
the other which had been simply sprlnkled so that
mere cleansing III the way Indicated seems hlehiy
beneficial. Two bronzes that had been arunclally
coated with patina and subjected TO similar Treat
ment for several years. presented SO satisfactory an
appearapce as to incline the committee to recon-
mend the use of artificial patlna.
NEW SUBSTITUTE FOR Coal CASA company has
been recently organized in Great Britain for the
purpose Of manufacturing substitute for coal gas
and from the scale on which it is prosecuted very
sanguine expectations of financial success appear TO
be entertained The apparatus for the purpose con-
ssts Of three iron gas-retorts set in furnace one
above the other. Above the rotOrts and heated to
redness by the same fire, is horizontal U-shaped
iron pipe about four inches in diameter. The re-
forts are charged with a mixture of coke and iron
and steam from an ordinary pipe is then forced
through the iron pipe which, it is obvious, acts as
superheater The superheated steam passes into the
two lower retorts, being carried by pipes arranged
in their axes at the further end, and then returns
through the mass of heated coke and ron Passing
through the third retort in the same way a large
amount of gas is generated which is cooled in a
temporary condenser, and then carried to gas
holder and afterward purified in the usual manner.
The gas thus obtained is mixture of hydrogen
carbonic oxide and carbOnic acid. To impart an
Illuminating power to it the gas is passed through
n chamber containing rectified petroleum spirit OF
specific gravity of SO. BY this process consider
able quantity of the spirit Is taken up, and the vol
of the gas Is increased by about - per cent II
then burns with brilliant flame and is ready for
distribution.
Although the various details OF this process appear
IN present nothing new their combination Is one
that has received the Endorsement of patent. The
most question appears TO be how lar the lli
minating power of the gas VIII stand tue test OF
cold The yapor introduced Is, after all, yapor
and as such capable of more or less condensation
Whether this will occur in cold weather, and II So
to such an extent to impair the value OF the gas
ia a question for inquiry IL If stated that the gas
has been subjected TO extreme cold without nJuTlng
| its quality but this will be determined, OF course
| whenever the matter comes TO practical expert
ment.
One objection urged against the gas produced by
the new process lies in tue large amount Of carbonic
Oxide which il contains. This. is well known, Is
a deadly poison, and one which, from ats speclhe
gravity tends to settle permanently In closed
spaces instead Of passing OIL into the atmosphere
more harmless caTbOnic acid, and IN this form may
not be Objectionable but the danger resulting rom
leak in the pipes is worthy OF serious consider
alton.