OF ARTS AND SCIENCES : MARCH 8, 1864. 261 



the first five or six minutes. Thus far I have applied this process 

 only in the analysis of volatile hydrocarbons of the formula Cn H„_6; 

 CnHn+2 5 6tc.* As a mixture of the vapors of these bodies with 

 oxygen is highly explosive, a more severe test of the safety of the 

 process could not be applied. 



In every experiment which I have made, the combustion has pro- 

 ceeded- as quietly as if burning in the open air. The results obtained 

 are extremely accui'ate and uniform. 



Although the bodies which I have analyzed represent but a single 

 class of organic substances, I can see no reason to doubt that the pro- 

 cess will apply equally well in the generality of cases. 



If this view be corroborated by actual experiment, the process can 

 hardly fail to supplant the common methods ; if for no other reasons 

 than its greater convenience, economy of time, avoidance of excessive 

 heat, neatness, etc. ; while, as regards accuracy of results, it will, at 

 least, not be found inferior to the other methods ; but, on the contrary, 

 I think preferable, as affording greater security against failures and 

 errors from accidental causes. 



Having obtained such satisfactory results in the cases referred to, 

 and being prevented by other important work, to which the study 

 of this process is only incidental, from pursuing the subject further 

 at present (except so far as I shall have occasion to use the process 

 in my other investigations), I have thought it advisable to present 

 the process to the Academy as it now stands. I hope, however, before 

 long to be able to resume the work, with the view to determine, by 

 experiment, the extent of its applicability as a general method, and 

 will report the results to the Academy. 



* la an analysis of amyl-alcohol, made in my laboratory by my friend Mr. 

 Storer, for the sake of familiarizing himself with the process, — it being his first 

 analysis by this apparatus, — the following result was obtained. 



Experiment. Theory. 



Carbon, . . . 68.53 68.18 



Hydrogen, , . 13.63 13.64 



yOL. VL 26 



