a homogeneous magma; or by a solution of the substance in a molten magma. The crystals are formed either with or without pressure. The last paper of the evening was read by Dr. E. A. de Schweinitz, and was entitled "A Convenient Dropping Bottle." This bottle was devised especially to be used by ophthalmologists for the purpose of keeping collyria sterile and free from dust, and at the same time a bottle which was very easy to handle, and from which the solution could be dropped into the eye with almost any desired rapidity. It is a small pear-shaped flask with a long neck at a right angle to the bottle. The end of the tube is drawn out to a moderately fine point and provided with three bends, so that the end dips downward. The object of these bends is to prevent the dust from entering the bottle. At the same time when they are filled with liquid the rest of the solution is sealed. On the side of the flask opposite the neck is a short open arm, to which a small rubber dropping bulb can be attached to regulate the rapidity with which this liquid is allowed to flow out at the bottom. A little cotton should be placed in this arm to keep out the dust. The dropper is adopted for general microchemical and volumetric work. Prof. Charles E. Munroe made an exhibit of paraformaldehyde and the lamps used in generating formaldehyde from it. This substance is sold in the form of tablets and makes a convenient laboratory source of formaldehyde. The gas is very readily given off from the tablets at comparatively low temperatures. Mr. V. K. Chesnut exhibited specimens of Amanita muscaria, the fungus which caused the recent death, in Washington, of Count de Vecchj, and the serious poisoning of Dr. Daniel J. Kelly. Colored plates were shown which showed how the fungus was mistaken for that of the closely related, but edible, species, Amanita caesarea. Brief remarks were also made about the poisonous constituents characteristic of the two most poisonous Amanitas and their characteristic action on the human system. The society adjourned at 10.15 P. M. V. K. CHESNUT, Secretary. RHODE ISLAND SECTION. A monthly meeting of the Rhode Island Section of the Ameri can Chemical Society was held at the Hope Club, Providence, October 28, 1897, with Mr. Edward D. Pearce as presiding offi cer. After dinner Prof. J. H. Appleton, of Brown University, presented a paper on "Some Recent Developments in Chemistry." The speaker discussed the liquefaction of fluorine, Moissan's artificial diamonds, and Dr. Emmens' argentaurum. The December meeting of the Rhode Island Section was held at the Hope Club, Providence, December 16, 1897, with Mr. Edward D. Pearce as presiding officer. After dinner Mr. John C. Hebden presented a paper on "Indigo and the syntheses of Indigo." The author discussed the preparation of indigo from the products of fermentation of certain plants, together with some of the results obtained by the decomposition of indigo. Starting from several different compounds, it was also demonstrated how indigotin could be produced synthetically. WALTER E. SMITH, Secretary. NEW YORK SECTION. The regular meeting of the New York Section was held at the College of the City of New York on Friday evening, December 10, Dr. Wm. McMurtrie presiding, with seventy-one members and visitors present. Marston T. Bogert, "Necro- The following papers were read: logical Notice of Dr. Charles E. Proposed New Form of Crucible Cover;" L. Reuter, "Notes on the Purity and Reactions of Some Chemicals;" Durand Woodman, "The Technical Analysis of Coal;" Robert W. Cornelison, "A Brief Review of the Definite Chemical Substances Used in Perfuming-with Exhibits of Products." Mr. Cornelison gave a list of the various substances used in perfuming, with trade names, chemical composition, a brief outline of the method of preparation, present prices, etc. The chair called attention to the value of reviews of progress in all lines of chemical work, and urged the members to contribute such work for the meetings. On motion, the meeting was adjourned to January 7, 1898. The regular meetings of the New York Section will be held in the Chemical Lecture Room of the College of the City of New York, 17 Lexington Avenue (at the corner of Twenty-third Street), on Friday following the first Monday of each month, at 8.15 P. M., and all chemists who are in the city, whether members of the Society or not, are cordially invited to attend them and take part in the proceedings. DURAND WOODMAN, Secretary. CINCINNATI SECTION. The December meeting of the Cincinnati Section took place in the Lloyd Library on December 15, Prof. O. W. Martin in the chair, and fourteen members present. Among the guests present was Gen. J. Warren Kiefer, of Springfield, O. Mr. J. W. Ritchey, 701 Baymiller St., Cincinnati, was elected a member of the Section. Apaper by Prof. Jas. Lewis Howe and Mr. E. D. Campbell, entitled "On some New Ruthenocyanides and the Double Ferrocyanide of Barium and Potassium," was read by the secretary on account of the absence of the authors. Prof. J. U. Lloyd then gave a biography of Peter Smith, The Indian Doctor," and an outline of the contents of his exceedingly rare dispensatory, the first publication on American materia media west of the Alleghenies. The demonstration of perhaps the only copy now in existence, in possession of Gen. Kiefer, a grandson of Dr. Smith, added to the interest of the paper. Lastly, Dr. R. Monroe McKenzie spoke on the mode of preparation and the properties of liquid fluorine, as demonstrated by Moissan and Dewar at the Toronto meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. After the reading of the reports of the Secretary and the Treasurer, the following officers were elected for the year 1898: President, O. W. Martin. Vice Presidents, Wm. Simonson and S. P. Kramer. Secretary, S. Waldbott. Treasurer, Henry B. Foote. Directors, Fred. Homburg, H. E. Newman, and Hannah L. Wessling. On motion the meeting adjourned. S. WALDROTT, Secretary. Issued with February Number, 1898. Proceedings. The canvassers appointed for that purpose having reported that 275 votes had been cast in favor of and 23 against the adoption of the new constitution submitted to the members on October 26, 1897, it was declared adopted by the President, December 2, 1897. SIXTEENTH GENERAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. The American Chemical Society convened for its Sixteenth General Meeting in the lecture hall of Columbian University, corner of 15th and H Streets, Washington, D. C., at 10 A.M., Wednesday, December 29, 1897. The sessions of the society were held upon this and the following day. The opening session was called to order by President Dudley, who then introduced President B. L. Whitman, of Columbian University. The latter extended a cordial welcome to the visiting chemists, and President Dudley responded on behalf of the Society. The minutes of the Fifteenth General Meeting held in Detroit, Mich., August 9 and 10, were approved in the form in which they had already appeared in the Journal of the society. Papers were then presented and discussed in the following order : 1. "A New Test for Yellow Azo Dye in Fats, Butter, etc." By Joseph F. Geisler. Discussed by Messrs. C. B. Dudley, Crampton, and de Schweinitz. 2. "Some New Ruthenocyanides and the Double Ferrocyanide of Barium and Potassium." By James Lewis Howe and H. D. Campbell. 3. "The Atomic Weight of Zirconium." By F. P. Venable. Discussed by Messrs. Clarke, E. F. Smith, Venable, Hillebrand, W. L. Dudley, Elworthy, Baskerville, and Cushman. 4. "The Determination of Sulphur in Gas Mixtures." By F. C. Phillips. 5. "Derivatives of Silicon Tetrachloride." By J. F. X. Harold. After a few announcements the morning session was adjourned. Early in the afternoon, through the courtesy of the Local Committee of Arrangements, various places of interest were visited by the chemists. The public buildings were kept open two hours longer than usual, and the members were admitted to view processes from which the public are excluded. At 4 P.M. they were served a bountiful luncheon by Mr. Christian Heurich, at his brewery, foot of 22nd street, N. W. WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 29, 1897. The evening session was called to order by President Dudley at half-past seven o'clock. The annual reports of the secretary, the treasurer, and the librarian were read and ordered placed on file. The librarian called attention to the fact that in some instances only a few of the back numbers of the Journal were left on hand, and suggested that such back numbers be reprinted. Upon motion of Mr. McKenna the question was referred to the council. In the absence of the editor, the secretary read a brief communication from him, and a motion was passed giving to the editor the option of making a formal report later, to be sent to the secretary and placed on file. The secretary then read a brief report from Dr. Hart as Chairman of the Committee on Spelling and Nomenclature in the Journal. Reports were called for from the Committees on Duty-Free Importations, on Coal Analysis, and on Standard Color for Water Analysis. Only brief oral reports were presented, as nothing of importance had been done since the last general meeting. Prof. Clarke made some remarks on his annual report on atomic weights, the report itself being reserved for publication in the Journal. The results of the ballots for officers for the year 1898, as presented by the report of the canvassers, were announced by the president as follows: |