1^5 Experiments on Charcoal, 



We (hall here obferve, that as this combination appeared 

 to us to be the liquid hydrogenated fulphur of Scheele, men- 

 tioned in the memoir of C. Berthollet on fulphurated hydro- 

 gen, we were ftrongly inclined to acknowledge the prefence 

 of hydrogen in charcoal ; and we did not change our opinion 

 till after an examination on a large fcale, and the moft de- 

 cifive experiments. 



Sulphur and charcoal combine at a high temperature, and 

 probably in different proportions. One of thefe combina- 

 tions is liquid at the ufual temperature and prefTure of the 

 atmofphere. It is this combination in particular which we 

 ihall examine. 



It is tranfparent and colourlefs when pure, but in general 

 of a greenifh yellow colour ; has a difagreeable odour fqme- 

 what pungent, but not infipid like that of fulphurated hy- 

 drogen : it produces on the (kin a confiderable degree of cold, 

 and evaporates as fpeedily as ether, without any refiduum if 

 colourlefs, and leaving fulphur behind it if yellow. Its fa- 

 vour is at firft cool, but afterwards exceedingly pungent like 

 that of ether. 



It is heavier than water, and keeps at the bottom of that 

 fluid without mixing with it, in the fame manner as a heavy 

 oil. 



As this combination refults from the union of fulphur and 

 charcoal, it may with propriety be called carburated fulphur. 



Preparation of carburated Sulphur. 



This fubftance is obtained by making fulphur pafs through 

 an ignited porcelain tube in which charcoal in fragments and 

 in powder has been previously heated. It mud be heaped 

 up a little in order that the fulphur in vapours may be obliged 

 to come into full contact with it. 



To operate exa6tly_, we adjufled to one extremity of the 

 porcelain tube which contained the charcoal a long glafs 

 tube, pretty large, containing a file of fmall flicks of fulphur 

 which could be fuccefljvely pufhed into the porcelain tube by 

 an iron fpike paffing through a cork with which the tube was 

 clofed. At. the other extremity was an adaptor of ^lafs ter- 

 minated by a bent tube immerfed in a glafs flaik which com- 

 municated with the. pneumatic tub. 



With a little care, an apparatus of this kind may be eafily 

 conftru&ed fo as to lofe nothing. 



Before the fulphur is introduced, all the gas the charcoal 

 is capable of giving by heat muft be fuffered to efcape: the 

 fulphur muft be introduced (lowly. When it acts on the 

 charcoal, ayellowifh liquid, having the appearance of an oil, 

 is feen to condenfe itfelf in the adaptor. Bv continuing the 



heat 



