126 FLAME. 



appenrs to arise from the great energy of the con>bination. Now 

 in the case of carbonic oxide, its disposition to combine with 

 oxygen is but limited, in consequence of the carbon contained in 

 it, being already half saturated with that gas ; the remaining 

 energy of combination, therefore, does not produce a degree of 

 temperature sufficient to ignite the solid matter contained in it 

 to any considerable extent. 



The energy exerted in the combination of hydrogen with 

 oxygen is amazingly intense; and here, as might be expected, 

 the heat is the greatest ; as may be shown by igniting a mixture 

 of these gases, at the jet of the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe. In this 

 flame platina melts, boils, and burns ; pumice stone, pipe clay, 

 quartz, granite, &c. vitrify immediately. The appearance of this 

 flame is very insignificant, and the light extremely feeble ; and it 

 is even probable that the light which is produced arises merely 

 from the ignition of extraneous solid matter, of which we have at 

 present no means of divesting it. 



That the light produced by any flame depends on the high 

 degree of ignition of the solid matter contained in it, is evident 

 from this : — If the flame of the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, be made 

 to pass through or act upon the ignited portion of otlier flames, 

 the light will be increased. For instance — if we cause the flame 

 from the blowpipe to play immediately upon the bright portion 

 of the flame of a common candle, the light will become greater 

 in consequence of the higher degree of ignition produced in the 

 charcoal contained in solution. Tiie same eflect niay be more 

 strikingly produced, by treating the flames of turpentine or 

 camphor in the same manner. The energy exerted in combustion, 

 by the gaseous matter of these substances, only producing a 

 limited degree of temperature. Here then an increase of heat 

 produces an increase of light. 



Again — the light of a flame depends greatly upon the nature 

 of the solid matter contained in it ; those substances giving the 

 greatest light whose particles are capable of sustaining the 

 greatest heat, prior to entering into combination; thus we find 

 sulphur combined with hydrogen gives but a feeble blue flame, 

 in consequence of the low degree of temperature necessary to 

 volatilize tins substance; while hydrogen combined with carbon 

 gives a brilliant light, increasing in proportion to the quantity of 

 carbon contained in the flame, in consequence of the high degree 

 of temperature capable of being sustained by this substance 

 before combination. Phosphorus, gives out an extremely 



