in alcohol, its alcoholic solution being
strongly dichroic; its green colored solution in concentrated
sulphuric acid becomes successively blue and violet on dilution with
water; it dyes silk, wool, and gun cotton, but is not fast to light.

Morphine violet is the first true coloring matter obtained from the
natural alkaloids, the morphine blue of Chastaing and Barillot (Compt.
Rend., 105, 1012) not being a coloring matter properly so called.
--_P. Cazeneuve, Bull. Soc. Chim._

* * * * *

LIQUID BLUE FOR DYEING.

The new liquid blue of M. Dornemann is intended to avoid the formation
of clots, etc., which lead to irregularity in shade, if not to the
formation of spots on the textile. In addition to accomplishing this
end, the process is accelerated by subjecting the blue to a previous
treatment.

In this preliminary treatment of the blue, the object is to remove the
sulphur which retards the solution of the color.

The liquid is prepared as follows: The pigment, previously dried at
150 deg. C., is crushed and finely ground, and contains about 47 per cent.
of coloring matter; to this is added 53 per cent. of water.

To this mixture, or slurry, the inventor adds an indefinite quantity
of glucose and glycerine of 43 deg. B., having a specific gravity of
1.425. It is then ready for use.--_Le Moniteur de la Teinture_.

* * * * *

A NEW CATALOGUE OF VALUABLE PAPERS

Contained in SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT during the past ten years,
sent _free of charge_ to any address. MUNN & CO., 361 Broadway, New
York.

* * * * *

THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS EDITION.

$2.50 A YEAR. SINGLE COPIES, 25 CTS.

This is a Special Edition of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, issued
monthly--on the first day of the month. Each number contains about
forty large quarto pages, equal to about two hundred ordinary book
pages, forming, practically, a large and splendid MAGAZINE OF
ARCHITECTURE, richly adorned with _elegant plates in colors_ and with
fine engravings, illustrating the most interesting examples of modern
Architectural Construction and allied subjects.

A special feature is the presentation in each number of a variety of
the latest and best plans for private residences, city and country,
including those of very moderate cost as well as the more expensive.
Drawings in perspective and in color are given,