Thornton John Herapath, F.C.S.

language is considered of so great importance by the highest authorities , that it is now being published by Her Majesty ' s government . Thornton John Herapath was the youngest son of William Herapath , who is a F . C . S ., and senior magistrate of Bristol , as well as a zealous philanthropist , Thornton Herapath was born in that city in the year 2830 ; his chemical education was received in his father ' s

laboratory . He was almost bom a chemist—in childhood he dabbled with chemicals ; his serious labours commenced at a very early age . At thirteen he began analysis , his first published paper was printed at sixteen , and his first course of public lectures at the age of ei ghteen . He worked incessantl y , not only at chemistry , but also at microscopy , botany , entomology , natural history , and philosophy . At the age of

twenty-six he " was selected for the appointment of chief chemist of large smelting establishments in Chili for a great public company , for three years , during which time he resided at Herradura , nearCoquimbo , in Chili ; and in the intervals between his duties , he pursued his researches into the natural productions , manners , habits , & c , of the inhabitantssending homo drawingsspecimensor descriptionsof

, , , , everything he thought worthy of note . At the end of his engagement he proposed to visit his native land , but on his voyage home lie . was unfortunately drowned , on December 9 th , 18-58 , at the age . of twenty-ei ght . He was iu appearance tall , and very thin . His character was truthful , honest , and conscientious , kind hearted and generous ; he was a universal favourite wherever ho wont . He was

devoid of all fear , and in fact , possessed those virtues demanded by Masons , and which endeared him to them . As a proof of the daring character of his ardour in science , he made a long series of experiments on the effects of several poisons , phosphuretted oil , mix vomica , < fcc , upon his own system , continuing them as far as could be endured . The following list contains all those published papers which can now be collected .

1 . Curious Oxidation of a Lead Pipe .- — Chem . Gaz ., Nov . 1 , 1810 . 2 . On Native Sulphate of Alumina . —Chan . Ga :., Nov . 1 , 18-i ( i . : > . Chemical Examination of Bats' dung . —Chem . Gaz ., 7 \ hy 1 , 18-17 . 4 . On the Composition of the Hoot of the Radish . —Chem . ' Gaz ., July 1 , 1847 .

•5 . On the Inorganic Constituents of Plants , —Chemist , Aug ., I , vf 7 . ( i . Letter on the Ashes of Plants . —Phann . Times , Sep . 35 , 18-17 . 7 . Letter on ll ydriodale of Potash as a test for Lead . —Pktrm . ' Finns ( Oct . 3 , 1 S 47 . S . Second Letter on same subject . —[ 'harm . ' Finns , Oct . 16 , 15-1-7 . 9 . Upon the Chemical Composition of Pollen . —Quar . Joitrn . Chem . . Sin-April 18-17 .

10 . On the Artificial Formation of Cbrystalline Oxide Zinc—Quar . Jpurn . Chem . Soc , April , IS-tS , 11 . On the Inorganic Constituents of the Berries of the Coffee Plant — Chem . G ' az ., April 15 , 1848 . 1 ~ . Anal ysis of Calcareous Sea Sand Felspar and Corallines , from the Coast of Devonshire . —Chem . Gaz ., Sept . ! , 18-18 . 13 . Chemical Examination of Chalk Stones . —Chem . Gaz ., Oct . 1 . 1818 .