328 ON OLEFIANT GAS. 



But the weight of 100 cubic inches of the 



gas is only - - - - . 16*93 



So that the constituents found by analysis 



exceed the weight of the gas - - 1'48 or aU 



most 1.5 grain. 



This is a clear proof, that the gas contains no oxigen. 

 The carbon and hidrogen, which we have found it to con- 

 tain, constitute the whole of its weight. The small excess 

 would nearly ranish, if we were to suppose the specific 

 gravity of the gas to be 0*600, as Dalton found it. It is 

 obviously owing to errours in the analysis, which are una- 

 Toidable when minute quantities of gaseous bodies are 

 measured. 



10. We may conclude, then, that the gas from stagnant 

 water is entitled to the name of carhuretted hidrogen, ^nd 

 that it is a compound of very nearly. 



Carbon , - - 72 

 Hidrogen - - 28 



100 



Mr. Dalton considers it as composed of an atom of 

 carbon, and two atoms of hidrogen; and this very nearly 

 agrees with the above analysis, if we suppose an atom of 

 carbon to weigh 4.5, and an atom of hidrogen to weigh 1 ; 

 for 72 is to 28 very nearly as 4.5 to 2. 



There is another gas, which is at present considered as 

 composed of carbon and hidrogen. It was discovered by 

 the associated Dutch chemists, and called by them Olefiant 

 Gas, in consequence of the oily-looliing substance into 

 which it is converted, when mixed with oximuriatic acid 

 gas. The experiments of Cruickshank, Henry, Dalton, 

 and Berthollet, all coincide to show, that its only consti- 

 tuents are carbon and hidrogen. jytr. Murray, however, 

 in his System of Chemistry, has expressed his suspicion, 

 that oxigen is also onfe of its constituents. He founds his 

 conjecture on the alleged formation of carbonic acid gas 

 when olefiant gas is passed through a red hot tube. Even if 

 carbonic acid were formed in this case, it would not prove 

 the gas to contain oxigen, unless the experiment be made 

 i^ such a manner, as that all common air is completely ex. 

 **"' eluded]^ 



