$4 APPARATUS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF GASSES. 



nature of these bodies, than to acquire such facts, as rosy 

 enable the chemical philosopher to decide the controverted 

 question respecting their composition. Results sufficiently 

 multiplied and precise for this purpose would require a 

 larger appropriation of time, than 1 have the prospect of 



Best method of being able to bestow ; and I can only on the present occasion 



proceeding. Q ^ er an exam pJ e f the method, in which it appears to me, 

 that the analysis of this class of substances will be most suc- 

 cessfully attempted. 



Vegetable sub- When a vegetable substance, composed (as may be is- 



stances. sumed to simplify the statement) of oxigen, hidrogen, and 



carbon, united in the form of a ternary compound, is sub- 

 mitted to distillation, at a temperature not below that of 

 ignition, the equilibrium of affinities, which constituted the 

 triple combination, is destroyed; and the elements, com- 

 posing it, are united in a new manner. Those, which are 

 disposed to enter into permanently elastic combinations, cs- 



The carbon, cape in the state of gas. The carbon, uniting with oxigen, 

 either composes carbonic acid gas, or, stopping short of that 

 degree of oxigenation, which is essential to change it into 



The hidrogen. au acid, is converted into carbonic oxide. The hidrogen, 

 combining with a portion of carbon, constitutes a binary 

 compound of these two ingredients, forming either what has 

 been called carburetted hidrogen gas, or supercarburetted 

 hidrogen, better known by the appellation of olejiant gas* 

 Toward the close of the process, a portion of simple hidro- 

 gen gas is also mingled with the products. Perhaps in no 



The gasses al- instance is any One of the gasses, which have been enume- 



ways more or ra j- e( ] obtained perfectly pure, by the distillation of a vey-a- 

 less mixed, W 1 ■<. a •, . 8 



table substance. The aeriform fluids, which are thus ge- 

 nerated, are found to be possessed of almost every degree 

 of specific gravity; and to yield, by combustion, extremely 

 different results, according to the temperature at which 

 they have been formed ; the stage of the process at which 

 they have been separated; and other modifying circum- 

 6t their ele- stances. It becomes an interesting question, whether these 

 ed fe in S vl°rbus n * g*^ 8 * so mucn diversified in their physical and chemical 

 proportions, properties, are mixtures of a few binary compounds, with 

 which chemists are already acquainted ; or whether, on the 

 contrary, their elements are capable of uniting in indefinite 



proportions. 



