352 Analysis of Scientific Books* 



formed, without the evolution of much heat; and ultimately much 

 muriatic acid was produced, and two other substances, one a solid 

 crystalline body, the other a dense thick fluid. It was found by 

 further examination, that neither of these were soluble in water ; 

 that both were soluble in alcohol — the liquid readily, the solid 

 with more difficulty. Both of them appeared to be triple com- 

 pounds of chlorine, carbon, and hydrogen ; but the author reserves 

 the consideration of these, and of other similar compounds, to 

 another opportunity. 



Iodine appears to exert no action upon the substance in 

 several days in sun-light ; it dissolves in the liquid in small 

 quantity, forming a crimson solution. 



Potassium heated in the liquid did not lose its brilliancy, or 

 exert any action upon it, at a temperature of 186°. 



Solution of alkalis, or their carbonates, had no action upon it. 

 Nitric acid acted slowly upon the substance, and became red ; 

 the fluid remaining colourless. When cooled to 32°, the sub- 

 stance became solid, and of a fine red colour, which disappeared 

 upon fusion. The odour of the substance, with the acid, was ex- 

 ceedingly like that of almonds, and it is probable that hydrocyanic 

 acid was formed. When washed with water, it appeared to have 

 undergone little or no change. 



Sulphuric acid added to it, over mercury, exerted a moderate 

 action upon it, little or no heat was evolved, no blackening took 

 place, no sulphurous acid was formed ; but the acid became of a 

 light yellow colour, and a portion of a clear colourless fluid floated, 

 which appeared to be a product of the action. When separated, 

 it was found to be bright and clear, not affected by water or 

 more sulphuric acid, solidifying at about 34°, and being then 

 white, crystalline, and dentritical. The substance was lighter 

 than water, soluble in alcohol, the solution being precipitated 

 by a small quantity of water, but becoming clear by great excess. 

 With regard to the composition of this substance, Mr. Fara- 

 day's experiments prove it a binary compound of carbon and 

 hydrogen, two proportionals of the former element (G x 2)— 12 

 being united to one of the latter— 1. The absence of oxygen is 

 proved by the inaction of potassium, and the results obtained when 

 passed through a red-hot tube. 



Of the various other products from the condensed liquor, the 

 next most definite to the bi-carburet of hydrogen appears to be 

 that which is most volatile. If a portion of the original liquid 

 "be warmed by the hand, or otherwise, and the vapour which 

 passes off be passed through a tube at 0°, very little uncondensed 

 vapour will go on to the mercurial trough ; but there will be found 

 after a time a portion of fluid in the tube, distinguished by the 

 following properties. Though a liquid at 0°, it, upon slight ele- 

 vation of temperature, begins to boil, and before it has attained 



