nalagous to that described for the preparation
of citric acid. It has obtained the name of _oxalic acid_, from
the generic name of the plant, _oxalis acetosella_. This acid forms
readily into regular crystals, of which one half the weight is water,
the other half being pure acid. It is a remarkable circumstance in
its constitution, that it contains no hydrogen, and that it consists
merely of carbon and oxygen--there being twice as much oxygen as
there is carbon. So that it differs from carbonic acid merely in the
relative quantities of its ingredients. Oxalic acid can be prepared by
an artificial process, with great ease, from sugar, and six times its
weight of nitric acid,--the former affording the carbon necessary to
its formation, and the latter the oxygen. It is only necessary to
heat the nitric acid on the sugar; the sugar dissolves, and there is
a violent effervescence, which must be moderated by immersion in
cold water: when the mixture cools, crystals of oxalic acid form in
abundance, which may be purified by a second crystallization.

Oxalic acid is an active poison; many persons have fallen victims to
its virulence, by having swallowed it in mistake for Epsom salt, which
it resembles in appearance. In all probability, this would not prove
to be the only vegetable acid capable of acting as a poison. Chalk
finely powdered, and diffused in water, is the proper antidote to the
poison of oxalic acid.

[The chapter on Combustion contains some new facts; and that
on the Atomic Theory is more attractive than might have been
expected.]

* * * * *

THE GATHERER

* * * * *

_The Plain Truth._--Sir John Trevor, cousin to Lord Chancellor
Jefferies, was an able man, but as corrupt as he was able. He
was twice Speaker of the House of Commons, and officially had the
mortification to put the question to the house, "whether himself ought
to be expelled for bribery." The answer was "Yes."

_Freaks of Royalty._--James I. in a capricious mood, threatened
the Lord Mayor with removing the seat of royalty, the meetings of
parliament, &c. from the capital. "Your Majesty at least," replied the
Mayor, "will be graciously pleased to leave us the River Thames."

_The Original Strand._--In the reign of Edward III. the Strand was an
open highway. A solitary house occasionally occurred; but in 1353,
the ruggedness of the highway was such, that Edward appo