Fusion of CharcoaL 363 



that the fused substance is nothing else than carbon in 



^ .„ an 



extremely condensed state; with a specific gravity superior 

 to that of the Anthracite, equal to that of the heaviest 

 Plumbag >, and in some degree approximating towards that 

 of the diamond. 



The experiment upon vvhir-h this conclusion was founded, 

 was as follows. Several pieces of the fused charcoal were 

 placed on a small fragment of brick; this was floated in a 

 oish of mercury, and the whole was covert d with a small 

 bell glass filled with oxygen gas, obtained over mercury. 

 A burning lens of one foot in diameter and eighteen inches 

 focus, at noon, with a bright sky, (Aug. 29) was made to 

 throw the concentrated rays of the sun, upon the melted 

 charcoal. There was no appearance of combustion, that 

 could be distinguished by the eye, in the bright light of the 

 fo< us, but, the substance wasted very slowly away, and 

 ^t length disappeared- ieaiing no residuum. The gas, exami- 

 ned in the usual way, gave carbonic acid, mixed with an 

 excess of oxygen gas, which, after the carbonic acid was 

 removed, sustained combustion as it usually does when 

 pure. The heat of the lens had been so intense as to fuse 

 ^d vitrify the surface of the brick support. 



Strong sulphuric acid boiled upon the fnsed charcoal 

 produces no eiFect, while with the common charcoal 

 (as it is well known) it is decomposed. The strongest 

 "itric acid in the cold does not affect the melted substance, 

 and even with the aid of a boiling heat, the effe. t is only 

 sHght, and ceases immedia;ely when V\e heat is withdrawn. 



-The most interesting of these experiments have been re- 

 P^^ted in the presence of Bishop Brownell,* and of Pro- 

 fessor Griscom who were well satisfied with the results. 



•Many specimens of the melted charcoal have been >ub- 

 ^Hted to the inspection of Dr. Hare, who is of opinion 

 that they have undergone a true fusion. This gentleman 

 jjas also so far repeated the experiments mentioned in the 

 former communication, as to be entirely satisfied of their 

 correctness. 



Formerly Professor of Ch'^mi-^try in Union CoUeE;:**, Schenectady, 



Vol. V....N0. 11. 47 



