Ititelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 399 



M. Schonbein procures a large quantity of ozonized air by putting 

 into a receiver of the capacity of 10 to 15 litres, a small quantity of 

 water, and sticks of phosphorus of 1 centimetre in diameter, one- 

 half of them being immersed in the water, and the other exposed to 

 the air ; the air of the receiver is heated from 59° to 68° Fahr. and 

 imperfectly closed. When the operation is finished, which is ascer- 

 tained by the odour of ozonized air, the receiver is inverted in a 

 vessel of water, to get rid of the sticks of phosphorus, it is then re- 

 moved and shaken in order to wash the compound. This operation 

 being finished, a cork is fitted to the receiver into which two tubes 

 are passed, one serving for the conveyance of water, and the other 

 to conduct the ozonized air into vessels or tubes containing the sub- 

 stances to be submitted to its action. 



Under the circumstances presently to be described, ozone is formed 

 when the vapour of phosphorus and water are mixed with oxygen 

 gas. It does not form at the same temperature in pure and dry 

 oxygen : it is the same in pure and humid oxygen at the usual at- 

 mospheric temperature and pressure . Phosphorus, placed in moist 

 oxygen, produces ozone at common temperatures, if the air is suffi- 

 ciently rarefied. 



Phosphorus, in humid oxygen, at common pressures, gives rise to 

 ozone when the temperature is raised to 75° Fahr. ; and its formation 

 takes place rapidly at 86° Fahr. The presence of certain gases in 

 the oxygen produces the same effect as rarefaction or increase of 

 temperature. Of all gases hydrogen is that which produces this 

 effect in the highest degree ; then follow nitrogen and carbonic acid. 



In a mixture of four parts of hydrogen and one of oxygen, as 

 moist as possible, the formation of ozone is so rapid at 60° to 68° 

 Fahr,, that on account of the action occasioned by this body on the 

 phosphorus, this substance and the explosive mixture inflame. 

 Ozone is not formed in moist air at 32° Fahr. ; the formation begins 

 to be perceptible at 42° to 46° Fahr. ; at 60° to 68° Fahr. it is rapid 

 and occurs without danger. No effect takes place at common tem- 

 peratures when the air is compressed to a fifth or a sixth; to 

 obtain any action under these circumstances the temperature must 

 be raised. The presence of certain gases, such as olefiant gas and 

 nitrous vapours in humid oxygen, when sufficiently rarefied, and also 

 in air, obstructs the formation of ozone. 



According to M. Schonbein, when the vapour of aether is slowly 

 burnt in air or in oxygen, there is formed, among other products, a 

 compound of ozone and olefiant gas. 



When ozone is passed through a tube heated to 482° Fahr., it is 

 entirely destroyed. And the same is the case at common tem- 

 peratures with charcoal. Ozone has the odour of chlorine if it is 

 concentrated. When it is mixed with air, it has the odour which is 

 perceived on turning the plate of an electrical machine. 



Air which is strongly impregnated with ozone impedes respiration 

 and produces catarrhal affections ; small animals are quickly killed 

 in it ; it is insoluble in water ; it quickly destroys organic colouring 

 matter, and also ligneous and albuminous substances, &c. It com- 



