780 Prof. H. E. Armstrong on Low-Temperature Research 



melting-point - 210% whilst carbon dioxide boils at - 78° and 

 melts at - 57°, carbon disulphide boiling at 40°, it was to be antici- 

 pated that the monosulphide would also be a highly volatile gas. 



The method adopted has been to subject the vapour of carbon 

 •disulphide to the action of an electric discharge in an ozonizer J 



and then to pass the modified vapour into a vessel cooled bv means j 



of liquid air. The product condenses as a white solid, which rapidly '; 



33ecomes brown even at the low temperature of liquid air ; on re- ^ 



moving this latter, the transformation into the polymeride is effected so -. 



rapidly that detonation takes place and the vessel is shattered. f 



Apparently the monosulphide condenses only below - 120°, though 

 above — 185°. The most striking chemical property of the gas is | 



its power of reducing sulphuric acid. 



The discovery of carbon monosulphide is a most welcome addition 

 to our knowledge of the simple carbon compounds. Its properties are 

 such as might, fairly have been anticipated, in view of the remarkable 

 tendency of sulphur to unite with itself. 



In the light of this discovery, however, the properties of carbon 

 monoxide must be regarded as more than ever remarkable. That a 

 single atom of carbon should suffice to neutralize, and be itself so 

 nearly neutralized by, a single atom of oxygen is probably one of the 

 most surprising facts in organic chemistry. It is especially remarkable 

 that such a compoand should show no tendency to polymerize and 

 be generally so inert, whilst its sulphur analogue cannot be prevented 

 from falling a sacrifice to the instinct of self-combination. But 

 •chemical science is full of riddles and whilst many have been guessed 

 in the Royal Institution laboratories, not a few have been pro- 

 pounded to which answers will not easily be found. 



The Future of Origixal Experimental Research. 



The privilege of surveying a long course of lectures such as those 

 on which I have commented all too superficially, especially after 

 having had the good fortune to attend, I believe, the entire series, is 

 an opportunity such as few can have. I wish I could say that I had 

 shared my opportunities with a far larger number directly interested 

 in physical- chemical inquiry than I know have enjoyed them with me. 



In looking back across the interval of time during which I have 

 known the Royal Institution, when I consider the benefit I have had 

 from attendance at the discourses and from watching the advance of 

 i:he inquiries carried on within its walls, what I am" most concerned 

 to know is : — how scientific inquiry may best be promoted, how the 

 educational advantages so lavishly dispensed by the Institution may 

 be sufficiently appreciated in days' to come. 



At a time when the value ^ of science to the State is so much 



