48 J^r. Bostuck on Whale Oil. [Jan. 



mical nature of this latter, have not been correctly ascertained, 

 nor is it known whether any thing is procured which is entitled 

 to the technical appellation of gas. It may, however, be stated 

 generally, that the quantity of vapour is large, that the propor- 

 tion of the ingredients vary in different parts of the same experi- 

 ment, and that the aqueous is more condensable than the 

 inflammable part. This appeared by bringing a cold body in 

 contact with the vapour, and the condensation frequently was 

 observed to take place merely by the ordinary temperature of 

 the atmosphere : in this case the inflammable part was left in a 

 highly combustible state. The difficulty with which this inflam- 

 mable vapour is condensed was strikmgly illustrated by one 

 experiment, in which the oil vapour was passed through a worm 

 tube of 23 feet in length : by this means the aqueous part was 

 entirely removed, and the residue burned with a continuous 

 bright flame The water collected in this case was strongly 

 acidulous, in consequence, as it appeared, of the copious gene- 

 ration of acetic acid. 



In most of the experiments the emission of inflammable 

 vapour was scarcely perceptible below a temperature of 400® ; 

 but in one instance, where the oil, after having been in the 

 boiler for 55 days, was suflTered to cool to the temperature of the 

 atmosphere, and then heated by a brisk fire, a quantity of vapour 

 was generated below 210° (the degree at which the graduation 

 of the thermometer commenced), which, by the application of 

 a hghted taper, exploded with some violence. Speaking from 

 general observation it would seem that when the temperature of 

 the oil is raised to about 420° or 430°, the proportion of the 

 inflammable to the aqueous vapour is more considerable. If the 

 temperature be further raised to about 480°, the proportion of 

 the aqueous vapour is increased ; while at a still higher tempera- 

 ture, above 60u°, the inflammable vapour again predominates. 

 With respect to the phenomena which the mixed vapour exhibits 

 during combustion, it may be remarked that its inflammation is 

 not attended with detonation ; when the aqueous part prevails, 

 the flame is quickly extinguished; but that in proportion as it is 

 freed from the aqueous vapour, it burns with a considerably denser 

 and brilliant flame. 



Another effect which appeared to result from the long conti- 

 nued application of heat w as, that the oil had its boiling point 

 lowerea, or, to speak more correctly, that below the temperature 

 which is generally regarded as the boiling point of recent oil, 

 the heated oil was rapidly converted into an inflammable 

 vapour, but of a different kind from that procured at lower tem- 

 peratures ; the vapour procured from the boiling oil containing 

 less water, and having a highly offensive and most penetrating 

 odour ; whereas the former vapour had comparatively httle 

 ^melJ, and that not pecuharly disagreeable. The change ta 



