TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 73 



a very peculiar and unpleasant odour to the water, which becomes im- 

 pregnated with it as it is formed ; when kept for some time the liquid 

 loses its odour, and there is a precipitate of carbonaceous matter. This 

 spontaneous change takes place whether the liquid be exposed to the 

 air or kept in a stoppered phial. 



On a Mode of obtaining an Increase of Atmospheric Pressure, and on 

 an Attempt to liquefij Hydrogen and Oxygen Gases, ivith accom- 

 panying Apparatus. By William Maugham, Lecturer on Che- 

 mistry, Royal Gallery of Practical Science, London. 



The apparatus consists of a strong glass tube, bent in the form of the 

 letter U, having a platinum wire attached to a brass cap passing into each 

 leg. The glass tube is gi'ound at each end, and the ground surface of 

 the brass cap is held down by means of screws, a collar of leather being 

 interposed to make the whole air-tight. Water being introduced into 

 the tube, and the tube closed, the M'ires are to be attached to the elec- 

 trodes of a sustaining battery. The water then undergoes decomposi- 

 tion, and the oxygen and hydrogen gases evolved are retained in the 

 tube, the pressure on the gases being increased in proportion to the 

 time the action is going on. 



The pressure thus obtained may be carried to such an extent as to 

 burst the strongest glass tubes that have yet been employed in the ex- 

 periment. 



By making the experiment with the assistance of cold, the author of 

 the paper anticipates that both hydrogen and oxygen may be liquefied. 



The tube is not to be completely filled with M'ater, and it will be ne- 

 cessary to have the water slightly acidulated with sulphuric acid. 



Should we not be able to succeed in liquefying hydrogen, oxygen, 

 &c., we have, nevertheless, a mode of obtaining increased gaseous press- 

 ure, which, with a slight modification of the apparatus, that will readily 

 suggest itself to those experienced in manipulation, will enable us to 

 liquefy those bodies Avhich pass from the aeriform to the liquid state at 

 comparatively low pressures. The same process may also he rendered 

 available for other purposes, where increased pressure becomes re- 

 quisite. 



On the Water of the Dead Sea. By John Murray, F.L.S. ^c. 



Having had an opportunity of examining chemically the waters of the 

 Dead Seei, the author discovered several substances which he supposes 

 to have escajied the attention of those chemists who have already sub- 

 mitted them to analysis. He described the eftect of many re-agents in 

 testing the constitution of the water, which exhibited, after repose, 

 strong signs of sulphuretted hydrogen. There was no trace of iron. In 

 addition to lime, magnesia, sulphur, &c., the substances which the au- 

 thor supposes himself to have been the first to detect in this celebrated 



