350 M, Balard on the Nature of the [Nov. 



is partially converted into chloride, and oxygen is disen- 

 gaged ; but the heat developed by this reaction decomposes 

 part of the gas, and chlorine remains, mixed with oxygen. 



The chlorous acid is equally decomposed by most of the 

 compound combustibles. 



Cyanogen and chlorous acid gas act mildly upon each 

 other. In a short time, however, we find in the vessel 

 chlorine, carbonic acid, and azote ; and the gaseous mixture 

 exhales the odour of chloride of cyanogen. 



Carburetted hydrogen does not act upon chlorous acid, 

 but this acid and defiant gas are decomposed without dis- 

 engagement of heat and light, water and chloride of carbon 

 remaining 



Phosphuretted, arsenietted, and sulphuretted hydrogen 

 gases, on the other hand, detonate, and chlorine mixed 

 with a little oxygen, remains. The combination of sulphu- 

 retted hydrogen is accompanied with a blue flame similar to 

 that exhibited when sulphur burns in the open air. The 

 detonation which ammonia produces is also very lively, and 

 in this case, as in the preceding, much chlorine is set at 

 liberty. The sulphuret of carbon produces also an explosion, 

 after which we find in the vessel sulphurous and carbonic 

 acid. The smell of the gas indicates that a little chloride 

 of sulphur is formed at the same time. 



The decomposition of chlorous by muriatic acid is accom- 

 panied with the extrication of heat without disengagement 

 of light. The same happens when we operate with hydri- 

 odic acid. 



The phosphuret of lime decomposes chlorous acid with a 

 brisk detonation, and the gaseous residue contains much 

 chlorine. 



Most of the sulphurets, as those of barium, tin, mercury, 

 antimony, &c., speedily produce the same effect. 



When the gas is small in quantity, the absorption may 

 take place without detonation supervening. In the last 

 case the smell indicatestheformationof chloride of sulphur. 



Oxalic acid also decomposes chlorous acid without pro- 

 ducing an explosion. 



Carbonic acid decomposes, slowly, chlorous acid gas. In 

 a short time the colour of the mixture disappears, and the 

 gas possesses the pungent odour of chloro -carbonic acid gas. 



Protoxide of azote does not appear to undergo any altera- 



