Vol. 3. PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Lockyer's New Theory.

One of my subscribers asks me to give an account of the new discovery of the convertibility of bodies heretofore considered to be elementary. Having carefully read Prof. Lockyer's papers, and the reports of his views, I cannot see that he has proved anything, but simply advanced a very plausible theory. Wellproved discoveries, like those of Delafontaine, and remarkable inventions like Dr. König's Chromometer, will always find a place in the LEISURE HOUR." As its name indicates, it is intended for those who are so crowded by the work of life, that only a small portion of their time can be given to the pursuit of science. I have recently received a club of sixty subscribers from a small town in Ohio. (See page 6.)

Prof. Lockyer, is an Astronomer of great repute. Such works as 7541, Orbs Around Us ($1.00),7542, Sunviews of the Earth ($1.50), 7543, 7539, Essays ($2.50), 7540, Half Hours With the Telescope, ($1.00), justly render all ready to give credence to his theories on astronomy, for there he has no superior, but as a chemist he is unknown, and his pet theory will have to be tried by the same tests as those of others.

It is a cardinal principle among scientific men to accept no "ipse dixit" (or as his sisters, his cousins and his aunts put it, "for he himself hath said it.") The press are indulging in surmising as to how long it will be before gold can be made as common as the baser metals, but even if Prof. Lockyer's theory be true, I cannot see that we are any nearer the dream of Paracelsus. Science is indeed a true alchemist, transmitting baser things to gold, but in an indirect manner. She has extracted from the clays that underlie our cities and plains the light silvery metal aluminum, which combined with brass, will give us the goliod dollar. The brilliantly irised coal, that collectors give a place in their cabinets, was known for years before the invaluable aniline

Monthly, 50c. a Year.

No. 4.

April, 1879.

dyes were discovered by Hoffmann, and a filthy nuisance which it cost money to remove from gas works converted into a valuable product.

Some are inclined to scout at the new inventions in electric lighting, because they arc not immediately applicable. But it must beremembered that nearly every great scientific discovery, has had to wait years for an inventor who would apply it practically.

NEW JERSEY, sandwiched in between the great States of New York and Pennsylvania, is commonly looked upon as a great suburb and garden-patch, annexed to the cities of New York and Philadelphia, but she is far more progressive than many States whose inhabitants consider her slow. Under the efficient head of the Brothers Apgar, she has one of the best school systems, in the country. Every school in the State is supplied with metric apparatus, and has aid extended towards buying Natural History Specimens, books, etc.

It has the most practical survey of any State in the Union, conducted by Prof. Geo. H. Cook, and it ought to give him more means for developing the mineral resources of the State, which are by no means confined to its wonderful zinc deposits, or its boundless strata of clay, marl and phosphatic sand.

MRS. RICHARDS of the Natural History Committee of the Society for the Encouragement of Studies at Home: "The collections are indispensible, and are highly appreciated by the students. Thank you for the trouble you have taken."

MISS BELTZHOOVER writes from Baltimore, Jan. 5th: "I received the specimens yesterday, and was very much pleased with them.'

Eustatite, 10c. to $1.00; Cymatoslite, 25c. to $1.00; Spodumene, 25c. to $2.00; Albite crystals, 25c. to $1.00, Siderite, 5c. to $1.00; Tremolite, 5c. to $1.00: Diabantite, 5c. to $1.00; Chromite. 5c. to 50c.

Randite.

A NEW URANIUM CARBONATE.

The

In a communication made to the Academy of Natural Sciences, Dec. 31, 1878, Prof. George A. König calls attention to a yellow incrustation found on the fissure surfaces of granite and granitoid gniess at Germantown, on the northern border of Philadelphia County. rock is chiefly composed of white orthoclase, gray quartz and sparingly biotite. The incrustation in question is very thin, of earthy appearance; translucency was observed in some compact parts. It was impossible to separate it sufficiently from the surface of the rock to determine its specific gravity. Heated in the closed tube, the substance yields a small quantity of water, turns first to orange red, and then to brown red. In a strong oxydizing flame, it turns to a black mass, rounded on the edges. A fragment brought into a clear borax bead causes a considerable swelling and boiling (CO), then gives the characteristic colors of uranium in both flames. Moistened with hydrochloric acid it effervesces (CO2), and dissolves completely. Reactions for sulphuric and phosphoric acid showed a trace of the former, none the latter. As only a small quantity could be collected for analysis, the method was so arranged that one portion would yield all essential data. 0.047 gr. was placed on a strip of thin platinum foil, inserted into a glass tube six inches long and one-fourth of an inch wide, one end being closed. The tube was then placed in horizontal position; the end holding the substance carefully heated to redness for five minutes, then the front part, in which the water had condensed, was severed by means of a red-hot wire, and weighed immediately; after drying, the tube was weighed again, the loss due to water being 0.002 gr. Removing the residue from the tube it was digested without pulverizing with hydrochloric acid, and the insoluble part, orthoclase and quartz filtered off. It weighed 0.0164 gr. Thus it was found that the substance proper, i.e, the incrustation had been (0.0470 0.0164) -0.0306 gr. In the filtrate were found Ca 0.0099, Urg04 0.0095. That is in percentage

CaO ==32.50

UgO3 31.63 H2O -6.53

CO2

- 29.34 (by difference).

CasUaCO20+3HO.

From the character of the material, there is of course no certainty that all the calcium is really combined with the uranium; in fact, experiments with more and better material may prove this to be the case; yet the physical characters, notably the color, together with the small percentage of water, will warrant the distinction of this compound from the related ones Liebigite and Voglite. The name is given in honor of Mr. Theodore D. Rand, the indefatigable local mineralogist of Philadelphia. The material was obtained of Prof. A. E. Foote. (Showy specimens 50c. to $2.50; small pieces 10c. to 50c.)

BÖTTGER says: "that sulphuric acid, (oil of vitriol), diluted with 30 parts of water, is a good INVISIBLE INK, to use on postal cards. It must be heated to make it visible. Use a quill pen.

THE NEW METAL PHILIPPIUM.-Mr. W. G. Brown, of the Eastern Tennessee University, writes to the "Chemical News," that while analyzing sipylite, a year or more ago, he observed with the spectroscope, certain lines, one at least, of which appears to belong to the new metal Philippium, and indicates the presence of that element in sipylite. Specimens of this very rare species, 75 cents to $5.

Titanium Literature.

In commencing an investigation on any scitific subject, the first and most tedious work that nearly everyone has to perform, is to index the literature of the subject. This task, laborious under any circumstances, is almost impossible, unless the worker has the best library in the country at his command. Hence many an ardent student has become discour aged after months of toil to find that some one has anticipated him. Prof. E. J. Hallock, who has spent much time in original investigations on the subject of Titanium, has recently published an Index to the Literature of Titanium, (No. 5393), from 1783 to 1876, which is sold at the very low rate of 25 c. It is of interest to the Chemist and the Mineralogist. The Mineralogist has always been interested in the compound whose trimorphism is so strikingly exhibited in Rutile, Brookite and Octohædrite. The discovery of the Magnet Cove locality.

gave rise to seven papers in 1849, more than three times as many as in 1848, and the papers of 1875, are nearly twice in number those of 1874, in the fall of which year, I visited the locality. The mineralogical papers of '75, are four times as many as those of '74. The papers of 1877, are far more numerous than those of '75 or '76. The influence that the mere collecting of minerals have on Chemistry and Mineralogy, is very plainly shown by these statistics.

And yet how often some pseudo-scientist says of a gentleman of taste and means, who has satisfied his love for the beautiful with works of absolute perfection, instead of copies on canvas: O! He is a mere collector. Thorough scientific men always recognize the great value of such collectors in advancing scientific

Infusorial Earth For Drying.

I may be pardoned for drawing attention to this remarkable absorbant. It has been used in technical operations in Germany, I believe, for several years, and now is gradually finding an introduction into the laboratories.

A wet filter-paper placed on a thin layer of it (5 to 10 m.m. thick) becomes only damp, in fact almost dry, in an incredibly short space of time. It far surpasses, in my opinion porous plates and plaster of Paris slabs. It has also the advantage that by heating it becomes again ready for use. Manufacturers of the article claim that it absorbs six times its weight of

8

paper (or two) of somewhat greater diameter (10 c.m. greater diameter). This prevents any danger of the earth getting on to the first paper. Those precipitates which Bunsen burns on the wire while still damp are ready for incineration after five or six minutes on the earth.

This remarkable absorptive power makes an excellent lecture illustration. Two filter-papers are dipped in water and exhibited. One is then placed in a thick layer of the earth and firmly pressed. The adherent earth is then scraped from the paper by a stroke with a table-knife. The two papers are now shown side by side, and make a striking contrast.-P. TOWNSEND AUSTEN, in Chemical News. Richmond infusorial earth, 25c. per Ib. 50c. per lb.

66

66

Nevada
As it is very light, 1 lb. will last a long time.

Tantalite.

From Coosa County, Alabama, its mode of occurrence and composition; by J. Lawrence Smith, Louisville, Ky. (Amer. Journ. of Science and Arts, March, 1878.) While columbite has been long known from a number of localities in the United States and at some of them it is found in great abundance, the related mineral tantalite has never been identified, until recently I proved the fact of its occurrence in Alabama.

It is found in Coosa County, Alabama, detached from any rock, lying loose with "bowlders" (as Judge Bently calls them) of granite more or less disintegrated. As, however, this region belongs to the older series of rocks (Professor Eugene Smith, who furnished the first material to me, has not yet explored it) these blocks of granite are doubtless not bowlders, but detached masses, weather worn. They are found both under and on the surface for miles, running northeast and southwest. Across these in a direction northwest and southeast runs a ridge filled with quartz and flint rocks, and at the intersection of the two, over about an acre of surface, some fifty specimens of tantalite have been collected, from the size of a pea upwards.

Character of Specimens.-They are irregular masses, without the slightest indication of crystalline form, just such pieces as I have obtained from the locality at Limoges; they are more or less rounded, with a ready cleavage in one direction; the specimens although long exposed, have undergone but little alteration, as indicated by examination made on several specimens. The specific gravity varied from 7.305 to 7.401.

On analysis it was found to consist of

The tantalic acid contains very little columbic acid, I have obtained all the pieces that have been found since the discovery over a year ago, except a very few, most of which were furnished to Prof. Smith and others for analysis, and can sell it at $2.00 an oz., or 25 cents to

$5.00 per specimen. This is infinitely below previous prices. New elements are hoped for in it.

I HAVE just received some very fine Chondrodites and Brucites from the Tilly Foster Iron Mines, at from 50c. to $5.00. Also, Biotite and Phlogopite in good crystals, 25c. to $5.00. Dickinsonite, Triploidite, and Brush and Dana's new species, 50c. to $5.00. Also, some very fine Thompsonite (new var.) in gangue from L. S., 25c. to $2.00 each. Also, Graphite from Trap, 25c. to $1.00. Fine Basalt pentagon, $5.00. Barite from L. S., 25c. to 75c. Microline, Randite, Tantalite (referred to under those titles), Pinites, 15c. to 75c. Washingtonites, 15c. to $1.00. Garnets, good crystals, perfectly shaped, 5c. to 25c., according to size and perfection.

You are respectfully requested to hand the LEISTHE HOUR to a nature-loving friend, when you do not wish to preserve it longer. By so doing you will confer a double favor.

A SHORT time since, I received from a lady in a small town in Ohio, a club of sixty subscribers. The lady was an utter stranger to me, and my establishment, yet she raised this club within a few days after she had herself received the first LEISURE HOUR.

There is probably not a town of 2.000 inhabitants ia the country, where a similar club might not be raised, and if each person to whom this number is seat would but exert themselves, the subscription list might be quadrupled, and the interesting reading muter in the LEISURE HOUR, quadrupled by the first of next January. I firmly believe that the good influence of sixty copies of the LEISURE HOUR, among the young people of a town of 2,000 inhabitants, could not be overestimated.

Of course I have no claim on anyone because I send them the paper, but I hope that the fact that a reading of the NATURALIST'S LEISURE HOUR, and the love of nature induced thereby, will supplant the reading of "blood and thunder weeklys," and the collecting of postage stamps and autographs, will induce all who receive this to exert themselves somewhat in my behalf. The fact also that I am striving to build up a great retail depot of Natural History Supplies, where scientific men may find the material that is almost indispensible to their studies, entitles my enterprise to the favorable consideration of all educators, scientific and medical men. If I can double my subscription list by next January, 1 shall increase the size of the NATURALIST'S LEISURE Hors, to 32 pages. I enn offer the following exceedingly favorable rates for new subscribers.

CLUB RATES.

Single subscription, 50 ets. As premium, 25 eent specimen, on receipt of postage, which will be from one to 19 cents, according to the weight of the specimen you wish us to send, All club subscribers reeeive the premium, and persons getting up clubs are advised to send in names as fast as they get them, as the receipt of the paper encourages others to subseribe. One year will be allowed for the completion of any club, but no premiums will be sent till club is completed. If anyone starts to get a club of fifty and fails, the premiums will be sent on receipt of the balance of club rates for the number sent in. Club of 8 subscribers,

$1 30 2.00

8 50 6 00 14 00

Thus the person sending a club of 50 subscribers and $14, would be entitled to $12.50 worth of specimens. But I will also offer the following special premiums in specimens, in addition to regular premiums to be awarded December 16th, so you can get them in time for the holidays.

TO THE PERSON SENDING LARGEST NO.

OF SUBSCRIBERS BEFORE DEC. 16, $100 00 PERSON SENDING NEXT LARGEST NO., 50 00 PERSON SENDING NEXT LARGEST NO., 25 00 PERSON SENDING NEXT LARGEST NO., PERSON SENDING NEXT LARGEST NO., 10 00 PERSON SENDING NEXT LARGEST NO., 5.00 wenty persons sending next largest number, $2.00 Forty-five persons sending next largest number, 1 00 Thus every person who makes any special effort to send in new subscribers, will be paid for his labor, as seventy-one extra premiums amounting to $300 offered.

expended more than twice as much upon the paper as I have received in subscriptions.

Persons canvassing for subscribers will do well to call attention to the following articles that have appeared during 1877 and 1878. 1879 will be far more highly illustrated, and contain more articles of popular interest.

Attention is called to the fact that many original articles describing new species have been published. 1877, JANUARY.-Huxley, on importance of studying Nat. Hist. Proustite, &c., illus.

FEBRUARY.-Natural Objects a Source of the Highest Pleasure, Huxley and Ruskin; Prehistoric Relics, illus.

MARCH.-Nature and the Child, Longfellow; The Love of Money the Root of all Evil; Chilian Minerals, illus.; Astrophyllite, König, illus., &c., &c.

APRIL-MAY.-Catalogue of Shells; Paramorphosis of Rutile after Brookite, Vom Rath; Variscite, Chester; Gems and Ornamental Stones, Jet, Vivianite, &c., &c., illus.

JUNE JULY.-Columbic Acid Minerals, J. L. Smith; Protovermiculite, König; Microcline, Dufrenite, Labradorite, Spinel; Permanent Exhibition; New Species List, &c., &c., illus.

AUGUST SEPTEMBER.-Genth on Tellurium Minerals; Meteorite Greenland, Quartz, Amber, Mellite, &c.

OCTOBER.-Genth, on Tellurium Minerals, Amethyst, Collections, &c.; Travelli, on Permanent Exhibition.

NOVEMBER.-Cope, on Ichthyic Fauna, &c. DECEMBER.-Ankerite, König; Lavendulite,

Goldsmith.

1878, JANUARY.-Dawsonite, Harrington; Strengite, König; Glauconite, Peckham, &c. FEBRUARY.-Sipylite, Mallet; Coeruleolactite, Genth; Psittacinite, Genth; &c.

MARCH.-Sonorous Sand, Blake; Sandwich Island Ferns, Quartz, &c., &c.

APRIL.-Peles Hair; Diamond: Chester, Variscite; Richmond Infusorial Earth, W. B. Rogers; Education, H. Spencer; &c., &c.

MAY.-Leidy, Circumspection of Ants; Something to do; Fossil Infusoria, Bailey; Education, Spencer; Diamonds, &c., &c JUNE.-Hayden, Celebrated Pipestone Quarof North-East Dakota; Ehrenberg's Infusoria of Virginia and Maryland.

ry

My regular edition of the BULLETIN has not fallen slow 6,000, for over a year, but there are still hundls of towns and cities where I have not a single scriber. Could you employ a little time more pleasantly, than in increasing the innocent, inexpensire pleasures of your neighborhood.

Although the LEISURE HOUR is furnished free to all customers, over 1,500 of them pay for it regularly, so as to enable me to improve it. Thus far I have

NOVEMBER.-Mordenite, Goldsmith; A story of Science; Barcenite, Mallet; What a piece of Jet had to Say, Taylor; United States Geological Sur., J. D. Hooker; Education, Spencer. DECEMBER-Rock Soap not Mordenite, König; Sources of Pleasure; Scientific Dialogue, 1781; How to Start a Natural History Society Education, Spencer; &c., : illus.