1900.] on Bunsen. 441 



volcanic phenomena of Iceland, I have always regarded as models of 

 investigation in pure, applied and physical chemistry, I dedicate 

 these pages, both as a testimony of my regard and in gratitude f r 

 the teaching whereby he imbued me with the necessity for thorough- 

 ness and accuracy in all scientific work. Would that they were more 

 worthy of such a high standard." 



Thus it is seen that although this remarkable research is the only 

 one of any importance which was carried out by Bunsen in the domain 

 of organic chemistry, it was destined to exert such an influence on the 

 later developments of that branch of the science, that he may with 

 truth be regarded as one of the pioneers of modern organic chemistry. 



The next research to which I shall refer is one of a totally different 

 character, but not of less importance than the last. It is interesting 

 as the first attempt, and a successful one, to introduce accurate scien- 

 tific methods and inquiry into so important an industry as that of iron 

 smelting. Up to 1845 the production of cast iron in the blastfurnace 

 was carried on mainly in ignorance of the scientific principles upon 

 which it depends. The waste of fuel was enormous, amounting 

 often to 80 per cent, of the whole. Bunsen, by analysing the escap- 

 ing gases, showed how this loss could be made good ; how the heat of 

 the burning gases could be utilized, and, in conjunction with the lare 

 Lord (then Lyon) Playfair, he conducted a series of experiments which 

 have resulted in economies the value of which may be reckoned by 

 millions rather than by thousands of pounds. But in other divisions 

 clear light was thrown upon the chemistry of the blast furnace by 

 these researches. Thus the formation of cyanogen in the furnace was 

 unknown until discovered accidentally, as thus described by Playfair. 

 " Bunsen was engaged below," at the blast furnaces at Alfreton, in 

 Derbyshire, " and I above, passing the gases through water to collect 

 any soluble producfs, when I was alarmed by being told that my 

 friend had become suddenly ill. I ran down and saw white fumes 

 coming out of a lateral tube, and Bunsen apparently recovering from 

 a fainting condition. I applied my nose to the orifice and smelt the 

 vapour of cyanide of potassium, which gave an entirely new light to 

 the processes of the furnace." 



These important results could not have been achieved if Bunsen 

 had not previously elaborated an accurate method of gas analysis. 

 These processes enabled him to do what had hitherto been impossible 

 for want of exact methods. No one could before his time undertake 

 accurate determinations of the several constituents of a gaseous 

 mixture. His book on gasometry — the only book he ever wrote — is 

 a remarkable pne. For originality of conception, for success in over- 

 coming difficulties, for ingenuity in the construction of apparatus, and 

 for accurate methods, this book as a record of experimental work is, 

 I believe, unequalled. It was always a matter of congratulation with 

 the Heidelberg student when he was set to learn the process of gas 

 analysis, for then he came into direct contact with the master, who 

 would spend half the morning in the gas-analysis room going through 



Vol. XVI. ^No. 94.) 2 a 



