J O U R N A L OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY, ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS PUBLISHED IN BRITISH AND FOREIGN JOURNALS. G e n e r a l a n d P h y s i c a l C h e m i s t r y , Apparatus for Measuring the Heat of Combustion. By F. WISCHER (Bey.,* 12, 1694-1696). Chemical Constitution of Amalgams of the Alkali-Metals. By BERTHELOT (Compt. rend., 89, 465).-The solution of the potas- sium-amalgam Eg2& in four times its weight of mercury, absorbs -8.0 kilogram-degrees of heat, and in twenty times its weight, -9.0 ki1.-degs. The solution of the sodium-amalgam NaHg,,, in 3 parts of mercury, absorbs -2% ki1.-degs., and in 18 parts, -2.9. It may thus be concluded that the solution of definite amalgams in different quantities of mercury, like the solution of salts in water, absorbs a constant amount of heat.Only one amalgam of potassium and one of sodium is known in the crystallised form, but from experi- ments on the varying quantities of heat evolved by the addition of potassium or of sodium t o these amalgams, the author concludes that there are two more of each. The progressive addition of potassium to the amalgam €€g,,R, evolves nearly constant quantities of heat, until an amalgam, 8.7Hg + K, is obtained; the heat evolved then varies from 8.7 t o 5.7, and remains constant From 5.7 to 2.9. There exist, therefore, two more amalgams of potassium, the first having the composition Hg8K, and evolving in its formation -t 29.3 ki1.-degs. (Hg liquid), or + 27-1 (Hg solid), the last figure being identical with that for Hg,,K. The formula of the other amalgam, that richest in potassium, cannot be calculated with any degree of accuracy. The progressive addition of sodium t o the amalgam Hg12Na, evolves constant quantities of heat up to 8.1 Na, and is also constant from 8.1 to 3.5 Na. It is probable, * The " Berichte der deutschen chemischen Gesellschaft " will in future be ab- breviated to " Ber." VOL.XXXVlII. h2 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. therefore, that two sodium-amalgams, Hg,Na, and Hg,Na2, may exist. c. w. w. Condition of Alkaline Phosphates in Aqueous Solution. By J. M. VAN BREMMELEN (Ber., 12, 1675--1678).--When a solution of trisodic phosphate is subjected t o dialysis, the soda diffuses rapidly, and a small quantity of disodio-hydric phosphate is formed in the dialyser. This experiment shows that trisodic phosphate undergoes partial dissociation when dissolved in water.Disodio-hydric phos- phate, dihydro-sodic phosphate, and microcosmic salt do not dissociate under these circumstances. w. c. w.J O U R N A LOFTHE CHEMICAL SOCIETY,ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS PUBLISHED INBRITISH AND FOREIGN JOURNALS.G e n e r a l a n d P h y s i c a l C h e m i s t r y ,Apparatus for Measuring the Heat of Combustion. ByF. WISCHER (Bey.,* 12, 1694-1696).Chemical Constitution of Amalgams of the Alkali-Metals.By BERTHELOT (Compt. rend., 89, 465).-The solution of the potas-sium-amalgam Eg2& in four times its weight of mercury, absorbs-8.0 kilogram-degrees of heat, and in twenty times its weight,-9.0 ki1.-degs. The solution of the sodium-amalgam NaHg,,, in3 parts of mercury, absorbs -2% ki1.-degs., and in 18 parts, -2.9.It may thus be concluded that the solution of definite amalgams indifferent quantities of mercury, like the solution of salts in water,absorbs a constant amount of heat.Only one amalgam of potassiumand one of sodium is known in the crystallised form, but from experi-ments on the varying quantities of heat evolved by the addition ofpotassium or of sodium t o these amalgams, the author concludes thatthere are two more of each.The progressive addition of potassium to the amalgam €€g,,R,evolves nearly constant quantities of heat, until an amalgam, 8.7Hg +K, is obtained; the heat evolved then varies from 8.7 t o 5.7, andremains constant From 5.7 to 2.9. There exist, therefore, two moreamalgams of potassium, the first having the composition Hg8K, andevolving in its formation -t 29.3 ki1.-degs.(Hg liquid), or + 27-1(Hg solid), the last figure being identical with that for Hg,,K. Theformula of the other amalgam, that richest in potassium, cannot becalculated with any degree of accuracy. The progressive addition ofsodium t o the amalgam Hg12Na, evolves constant quantities of heatup to 8.1 Na, and is also constant from 8.1 to 3.5 Na. It is probable,* The " Berichte der deutschen chemischen Gesellschaft " will in future be ab-breviated to " Ber."VOL. XXXVlII. 2 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.therefore, that two sodium-amalgams, Hg,Na, and Hg,Na2, mayexist. c. w. w.Condition of Alkaline Phosphates in Aqueous Solution.By J. M. VAN BREMMELEN (Ber., 12, 1675--1678).--When a solutionof trisodic phosphate is subjected t o dialysis, the soda diffuses rapidly,and a small quantity of disodio-hydric phosphate is formed in thedialyser. This experiment shows that trisodic phosphate undergoespartial dissociation when dissolved in water. Disodio-hydric phos-phate, dihydro-sodic phosphate, and microcosmic salt do not dissociateunder these circumstances. w. c. w