A4^ OS THE NATURE OF OXIMtJRUTIC GAS. 



Henry's experiments, on which he rests his doubts. I have 

 observed, that, when muriatic acid gas is left in a jar over 

 mercury, the acid will slowly disappear, calomel will be 

 formed, and at length nothing but hidrogeu will remain. 

 Carbuwtted ^ h^v® stated in my first paper the general re.-ult, that 



hidrogen and carbonic acid is not formed, when dried carburetted hidro- 

 donot form 8*^" IS detoixated over recently boiled me c ry with an ex- 

 cwrbonic aoid. cess of oximuriatic gas. Mr. Murray wishes to know how 

 1 ascertained this fact. — I considered the precipitation of 

 charcoal, and no cloudiness being produced on passing the 

 residual gas through lime-water, sufficient evidences of 

 this. 

 I>«iQo»tion of ^*'* Murray objects to the mode in which his experiment 

 hklroget), oxi- OQ the detonation of a mixture of hidrogen gas, oximuriatic 

 aind'^^rb<Mvic g^^» ^"^ carbonic oxide, was repeated, and is not satisfied 

 Oi^ude. with the results which are in opposition to his own, I have 



assisted my brother in again making this experiment ; Mr. 

 Hatchett and Mr. Brande were prehcnt. A mixture, con- 

 sisting of 14*6 measures of oximuriatic gas, of 4 measures 

 of hidrogen gas, and of 10 measures of gaseous oxide of 

 carbon, was inflamed by an electric spark over recently 

 boiled mercury; a condensation of half a measure only was 

 produced by the explosion. Pure ammoniacal gas was 

 added in excess, and, after the admission of water, there 

 remained 13 measures of uuabsorbable gas. Eight mea^ 

 sures of oxigen being introduced, the mixture was inflamed; 

 -there was a diminution equal to 4 measures, and 8 mea- 

 sures of the residue were absorbed by a stropg solution of 

 potash*. 



Now the 8 measures of carbonic acid gas formed indicate 

 8 measures of residual carbonic oxide ; aud, when the com- 

 mon air present is taken into account, with the difligulty 



♦ The oximuriatic gas nas procured from a mixture of commcp 

 talt, black oxide of manganese, and diluted sulphuric acid; t^e 14 

 measures employed were found by a comparative trial to be contami- 

 nated by 3 measures of common air. The other two gasses had been 

 previously dried by potash- ITS measures of the carbonic oxide, 

 detanated with l65 of oxigen, were immediately diminished to 19 j 

 aud by ai»itatioa with a strong solution of potash, there was a farther 

 diipinutiou produced equal to 11 measures. 



ef 



