METEMPSYCHOSIS (asi-estPiixcecris), derived from a Greek word signifying the passage or transmigration of souls, forms a part of the philosophical or religious belief of many nations. The Hindus believe that the souls of men pass after death into different bodies, either of men or animals, unless an individual has lived a most holy and religious life; in which case his soul is absorbed into the divine essence. " The soul passes from one state to another invested with a subtile frame consisting of elementary particles, the seed or rudiment of a grosser body. Departing from that which it occupied, it ascends to the moon, where, clothed with an aqueous form, it experiences the recompense of its works; and whence it returns to occupy a new body with resulting influence of its former deeds. But he who has attained the true know. ledge of God does not pass through the same stages of retreat, but proceeds directly to reunion with the Supreme Being, with which he is identified, as a river at its confluence with the sea merges therein altogether. ills vital faculties and the elements of which his body consists are absorbed completely and absolutely ; both name and form cease ; and he becomes immortal without parts or members." (' Extracts from the Brahnia-sStras, or Aphorisms on the Vedanta doctrine, by Badarilyana,' translated by Mr. Colebrooko, in Trans. of the Roy. As. Soc.,' vol. ii.) The migration of souls from one body to another also formed, as is well known, a leading feature of the Pythagorean doctrine. This doctrine war also a part of the Egyptian religious System. The Egyptians, says Hersdotes (ii. 123), are the first who believed in the but under the name of anodic is exteneirely used as a source of sulphur in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Some varieties of it decompose ahem exposed to air, being gradually converted into sulphate of iron.
(Atom.) The pierakides of iron are unimportant Iron and calerine form two compounds:— 1. Trotockterlde or iron FeCi 2. Ferchloettle of !too . . . Te,C1, 1. Protoehloride of iron In the anhydrous state (FeC1) is obtained on passing dry hydrochloric acid gas over iron filings heated to redness, hydrogen is evolved, and the salt sublimes in white micaceous scales. In the hydrated condition it may leo prepared by dissolving iron in hydrochloric acid, and evaporating in vacua; green crystals aro then produced (Feel+ 4 Aq.), which must bo preserved in an atmosphere
of hydrogen or of carbouie acid.
Other metals may be coated with iron by boiling them in a solution of protochloride of iron containing chloride of ammonium and of zinc.
l'erehloride of iron (Fe C1,1 (senimiehloride). Obtained in brown scales on passing exams of Chlorine over iron heated to redness. It sublimes at a red heat, is soluble in alcohol or ether, and is very deliquescent. The hydrated perehloride is deposited in largo red crynals on evaporating a solution of the hydrated peroxide in hydro chloric acid. They contain six equivalents of water of crystallisation. Solution of perchloride of iron has a great tendency to dissolve per oxide, and on evaporation the solution yields a confusedly crystalline masa of uncertain composition. The following is a convenient method of preparing a definite solution of perchloride of iron. Five parts of iron filings are dissolved in twenty parts of the common strong hydrochloric acid, the liquid filtered through ssbestess, three additional parts of the acid then poured in, and the whole heated to ebullition; nitric acid is now gradually added till no more red fumes are evolved, alien the iron will all be iu the state of perchloride. If necessary, the solution may be evaporated to the erystallising point ; if carefully prepared it will contain no free acid.
Solution of perchloride of iron mixed with alcohol forms the tincture of soortieldoride of iron used in medicine.
Iron and iodine, Iron and and Iron and ,fluorine form combinations corresponding to the two chlo rides. The only one of importance is the l'rotoiodide of iron (FeI). This salt is used in medicine, and is prepared by boiling iodine with excess of iron filings, or small nails, in water. On evaporation, the solution yields green crystals, containing Fel + 4Aq. These crystals fuse on the application of a moderate heat, give off their water of crystallisation, and on cooling solidify into a steel-grey crystalline mass. In manipulating with iodide of iron, con tact of air should be avoided as much as possible, as an oxyiodido is very apt to form ; tho operations should also be conducted in iron vseeels, and when in solution a piece of iron wire should be immersed in the liquid.