1 6 On the Absorption of Gases. 



3. The gas thus absorbed may be recovered from the 

 water the same in quantity and quality as it entered, by 

 the means pointed out in the first article. 



4. If a quantity of water free from air be agitated with a 

 mixture of two or more gises (such as atmospheric air), the 

 water will absorb portions of each gas the same as if they 

 were presented to it separately in their proper density. 



Ex. gr. Atmospheric air, consisting of 79 parts azotic 

 gas, and -21 parts oxygenous gas, per cent. 



Water absorbs -^ of ^j^, azotic gas = 1-234 



■ W of fo'o^ oxygen gas = -778 



Sum, per cent. 2'012 



5. If water impregnated with any one gas (as hydro- 

 genous) be agitated with another gas equally absorbable (as 

 azotic), there will apparently be no absorption of the latter 

 gas, just as much gas being found aher agitation as was 

 introduced to the water; but upon examination the resi- 

 duary gas will be found a mixture of the two, and the parts 

 of each, in the water, will be exactly proportional to those 

 out of the water. 



6. If water impregnated with any one gas be agitated 

 with another gas less or more absorbable, there will appa- 

 rently be an increase or diminution of the latter ; but upon 

 examination the residuary gas will be found a mixture of 

 the two, and the proportions agreeable to article 4. 



7. If a quantity of water in a phial, having a ground 

 stopper very accurately adapted, be agitated with any gas, 

 or mixture of gases, till the due share has entered the wa- 

 ter ; then, if the stopper be secured, the phial may be ex- 

 posed to any variation of temperature without disturbing 

 the equilibrium : that is, the quantity of gas in the water 

 will remain the same whether it be exposed to heat or cold, 

 if the stopper be air-tight. 



bk : this ditTerence is owing to the residuum of oxygen in the water, each 

 measure of which take. 3J of nitrous gas to saturate it when in water. Per- 

 haps it may be found that nitrous gas usuallv contains a small portion of ni- 

 trous oxide. 



N.B. The 



