THE CHEMIST; OR, REPORTER OF CHEMICAL DISCOVERIES AND PROTECTOR OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHEMIST EDITED BY CHARLES WATT, ESQ. LECTURER ON CHEMISTRY, AND JOHN WATT, JUN. VOL. II. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETORS, AND SOLD BY R. HASTINGS, 13, CAREY STREET. 1841. INTRODUCTION. WE have now fulfilled our engagements with the public for the past year; and a year in the science of Chemistry at the present time is an epoch, in comparison with the like period previous to the discoveries of BLACK, CAVENDISH, PRIESTLEY, LAVOISIER, DAVY, Watt. None who are acquainted with the works of those illustrious men can fail to trace to their labours that total revolution, from vague hypothesis and chimerical conjecture, to sound theory and accurately defined laws which now supply their place in that science, the most extended in its range of objects, and the most important in its application to the arts of man. Nothing surely can be wanting to shew the value of their services to mankind but the mere record of their researches in Light, Heat, and Electro-Chemistry; the discoveries of Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen as simple bodies, as the elements of water and the atmosphere, and as affording satisfactory explanations of the phenomena of respiration and combustion; of the composition of the Alkalies and Earths, and the development of the character of Chlorine; the researches on Nitrous Oxide, and the invention and perfection of the safety lamp by the transcendent power of that chief of Chemists who has left behind him so many proofs "to give the world assurance of a man;" the construction and varied application of the steamengine by the immortal WATT, needs from us no comment-it is sufficient to conclude in the words of BLACK, that it is "the noblest gift of philosophy to the arts." Since the time of these men, whose "works are their best monument," what rapid progress has it not made; nay, indeed, we may add, what daily progress is it not making! Let us only refer to the beautiful applications of the Daguerréotype to the fine arts, by which in a few minutes correct likenesses can be taken with the perfection of nature, instead of the mawkish flatteries and crudities of art. Not less valuable, though perhaps less astounding, is the process of Electrotype, by one application of which is superseded one of the most destructive and dangerous manufacturing operations of any employed in the arts. The use of mercury in the processes of gilding and silvering is for ever exploded by the simple aid of solution and electric action. 325004 In the once hopeless and gloomy paths of organic chemistry, the discoveries are now equally important and valuable. The labours of CHEVREUL, FREMY, BOUDET, POUTET, COUERBE, and particularly LIEBIG, manifest the highest adaptation for research, and the most unexampled success in its application: by the works of the latter this branch of the science may with truth be said to have reached an equal degree of advancement with the chemistry of inorganic matter, and presents the highest prospects of far greater extension. The present period seems one in which discoveries are of such frequent occurrence, that one of an ordinary nature produces but little effect or surprise: it now requires something totally unexpected, and even beyond ordinary conception, to produce any excitement among men of science: such a period, then, is, of all others, that in which to prosecute the study of Chemistry, and to encourage diligent application and thorough knowledge of its facts and doctrines, in those who are about to engage in its pursuits; and firmly are we convinced that such study will prove as beneficial to themselves as to society. In the section devoted to CHEMISTRY, we have published valuable communications from scientific contributors, amongst whom we may mention as deserving of our thanks, MR. HILEY, of Elland. We have also given translations of the most laborious, interesting, and important labours of our continental brethren, whose additions to our knowledge during the present year have been very numerous. To mention all, or even many of them in this place, would be unnecessary, if practicable. Still there are some which must not pass unnoticed: such as M. BIOT'S "Memoirs on Atomic Chemistry;" "Investigations concerning the Composition of the Brain of Man," by M. FREMY; the "Investigations concerning the True Atomic Weight of Carbon," by MM. DUMAS and STASS (made in 1840) are, perhaps of greater importance than any other articles in this volume. M. PELIGOT has furnished the scientific world with the results of some very elaborate "Investigations concerning Ulmic Acid and Uranium," which he has proved to be not a metal, but a metallic oxide, from which he obtained metallic uranium. M. JACQUELAIN has also given us some valuable information concerning the "Elementary Composition of Certain Species of Anthracite." M. BOUSSINGAULT'S paper, "On the Composition of the Air which is found in the Pores of Snow," and his "Researches," in conjunction with M. DUMAS, " as to the True Composition of the Atmosphere," are most valuable contributions to Chemical Science. There are also most important papers, by M. LAROCQUE "On Gallic Acid;"-by MM. BOUTRON-CHARLARD and E. FREMY, "On Lactic Fermentation;"-by M. PELIGOT, "On the Atomic Weight of Uranium;"-by M. CAPITAINE, "On the Atomic Weight of Iron ; "—and by M. THIERRY, "On Guaiacic Acid, and on Extract of Guaiacum;" with many others, for the excellence of which the following names, which form but an inconsiderable part of those which grace our work will be a sufficient guarantee:- BUNSEN, GREGORY, BUCHNER, ETTLING, HARE, PLAYFAIR, JOHNSTON, VOGEL, GERHARDT and CAHOURS, R. F. MARCHAND, THOMSON, KUHLMANN, VON KOBELL, LAURENT, LANGLOIS, PERSOZ, LIEBIG, H. ROSE, A, ROSE, MITSCHERLICH, GAY-LUSSAC, PELOUZE, DANIELL, BROWN (Dr.), GibaulT, PELLETIER, LASSAIGNE, WÖHLER, BROMEIS, TILLEY, DEVILLE, &c. &c. &c. In the section of CHEMICAL MANUFACTURES less has been published; but still the articles will be found of great utility and of the highest importance; we do not see any necessity for recapitulating them here. "PHARMACY" has been chiefly devoted to the all-engrossing topic of Medical Reform. The formation of a Pharmaceutical Society is, perhaps, one of the greatest events of the : year but the Council invested with the management of the affairs of the Society has rendered it perfectly unavailing to provincial druggists, nor does it appear to us to be much more beneficial to metropolitan ones. This Society, on its first formation, had our support, which we soon found ourselves obliged to withdraw. In this section, many communications from correspondents on the subject of medical reform are given. This department also contains much of a scientific character that will prove useful to the pharmacopolist. The pages of THE CHEMIST forming, as they do, an organ of communication of all the improvements in the science, and its application to the arts and manufactures, as well as of all that is new in Pharmacy, bring before the Chemist a record, enabling him to keep pace with the progress of these important subjects; and we have too extended sources of knowledge of the high opinion of the manner in which the performance of our duties is estimated by the profession and the public, as well as from the circulation of the work, not to be satisfied that such a medium as THE CHEMIST is, of all the others, best adapted to assist the student, and to forward the views of the adept. Although during the present year there have not been made, either in this country or on the continent, any discoveries of great importance, still, * The Pharmaceutical Society is a sad, but apt, illustration of the saying-" Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus." 5 |