are testing the value of spongy iron upon a large scale in the filters of the water works at Antwerp. The water is first allowed to pass through a mixture of iron and gravel covered with sand, when it p-es into a second basin, the bottom of which is covered with sand. The experimental results have been more satisfactory than those from ordiuary filters, and there are no indications of any necessity for renewing the iron, which serveS to oxidize the organic matters suspended iu the water.-Ann.

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... es Pants et Chnum. C. Fusion of Metals by Electricity.-M. Imbert describes Siemens' method of fusing large metallic masses by means of electricity. He uses a plumbago crucible, surrounded by a thick refractory wall, the cover being traversed by a carbon rod of 20 millimetres (*79 inch) diameter. This rod is suspended by one of the arms of a balance beam, the other arm carryiug a cylinder of soft irou sliding freely iu a solenoid and plunging iuto a liquid, in order to moderate the oscillations which might arise from, sudden variations of current. In one experiment 500 grammes (l-102 lbs.) were melted hit.0 a compact ingot in 43 minutes. In melting large quantities the electrical method is rather more than twice as costly as the ordinary furuace, but for the fusion of precious or refractory metals, for chemical purposes, and for other applications where the question of economy is secondary, the new method is very conveuieut and practical.