86 The Ottawa Naturalist. 



with a current of 4,000 to 5,000 amperes. The equation which repre- 

 sents the action of water on this product, is as follows : 



CaC, + H.,0 = C,H, + CaO. 



Calcium carbide + water = acetylene + calcium oxide. 



Calcium carbide (CaC;.) is a dark gray, very brittle, porous-look- 

 ing substance with a Sp. gr. of 2^22 at 18 degrees Centigrade. It con- 

 tains 62 5 per cent, of calcium and 37 5 per cent, of carbon. On 

 being brought into contact with water, as above stated, a double 

 decomposition takes place, the calcium of the "carbide" combining 

 with the oxygen of the water to form calcium oxide, or, to speak more 

 correctly, owing to excess of water present, slaked lime; the carbon at 

 the same time uniting with the hydrogen of the water to form Acety- 

 lene (C.r-L), which is readily recognized by its penetrating odour, closely 

 resembling garlic. 



Acetylene is a colourless gas having a Specific gravity of 

 oor at normal temperature and pressure; 11 volumes of the 

 gas are soluble in one volume of water. The gas when inhaled 

 possesses the same poisonous properties as carbon monoxide, but to a 

 greater extent. Prof. Vivian 15. Lewes, of London, England, in a 

 paper read before the Society of Arts, says that, " owing to the intense 

 richness of Acetylene, it can only be consumed in small, flat flame 

 burners, but under these conditions emits a light greater than that 

 given by any other known gas ; its illuminating value, calculated to a 

 consumption of 5 cubic feet an hour, being no less than 240 candles." 



It may be liquified (according to Andsell) at a pressure of 215 

 atmospheres at zero centigrade. This property suggested to some the 

 probable use of liquid Acetylene for portable lamps, lighting of railway 

 carriages, etc., since thus a. large volume of the gas can be stored in a 

 very small space. It has, however, been pointed out that a sudden shock 

 to the liquid or compressed gas frequently causes decomposition with 

 violence. Hence, this use of Acetylene would probably be attended with 

 danger. The carbide of calcium might be used for the purposes just 

 referred to without any such risk, and consequently has been proposed 

 as a convenient and cheap form to be used where liquid Acetylene 

 would be desirable on the grounds of portability. Specially designed 



