408 New analytical Kesearchei 



water was introduced, hydrated sulphur was instantly formed, 

 and muriatic acid gas evolved. 



From the quantity of carbonic acid formed by the com- 

 bustion of the carburetted inflammable gas, produced in the 

 operation of the action of well-burnt charcoal upon sulphur, 

 it maybe conceived to contain oxygen. This circumstance, 

 and the fact that no hydrate of sulphur or muriatic acid 

 gas is formed by the operation' of oxymuriatic acid upon the 

 liquor, but common sulphur precipitated ; are in favour of 

 the opinion, that the sulphur in this liquor contains less 

 oxygen than in its common state. This idea has likewise 

 occurred to Dr. Marcet, who is engaged in some experi- 

 ments on the subject, and from whose skill and accuracy 

 further elucidations of it may be expected, 



III. Further Inquiries respecting carlonaceous Matter, 



Oa the idea which I have stated, page 73*, that the 

 diamond may consist of the carbonaceous matter combined 

 with a little oxygen, I exposed charcoal intensely ignited, 

 by Voltaic electricity f? to nitrogen, conceiving it possible 

 that if this body was an oxide, containing oxygen very in- 

 timately combined, it might part with it in small propor- 

 tions to carbonaceous matter, and give an important result. 



The charcoal, which had been made with great care, was 

 preserved for a quarter of an hour in a state of ignition, in 

 which platina instantly fused. It did not appear to change 

 in its visible properties; but a small quantity of black sub- 

 limate, which proved to be nothing more than finely-di- 

 vided carbonaceous matter, collected in an arborescent state 

 «pon the platina wire to which the charcg^ was attached. 

 The gas had increased in volume one-sixth ; but this was 

 owing to the evolution of carburetted inflammable gas 

 from the charcoal; the nitrogen was unchanged in quantity, 

 and, as far as my examination could go, in quality. The 

 points of the charcoal where the heat had been intense, 

 were rather harder than before the experiment. 



I have mentioned, page 102 J, that charcoal, even when 

 strongly ignited, is incapable of decomposing corrosive sub- 

 limate. When charcoal, in a state of ignition, is brought 

 in contact wi.h oxymuriatic acid gas, the combustion in- 

 stantly ceases. I electrified two pieces of charcoal in a globe 



* Page 112oftIiis volume. 



\ The appa'-atus was the same as that referred to page 1:1. The power 

 tmploycd was that of the battery of 500 belonging to the Royal Institution. 

 X Page 189 of this volume. 



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