Gh oltdinlng an eqtial Temperature in Houses. 4^3 



the carbon being precipitated, and the hydrogen evolved in 

 n separate fornijand acquiring a state of greater expansion. 

 'I'his change, however, is effected uuich more 5.1o\vly than 

 tlie disunion of ihe elements of ammonia. 



From a portion of carbonic acid gas, carefully dried by 

 muriate of liine, and electrized with platina conductors, we 

 obtained, after removing the undecomposed gas by caustic 

 potash, a residuum equal to about ouei^alf the whole gas 

 which had been employed. It was found on analysis to 

 consi-st of oxygen and carbonic oxide ga?es, in sniJi pro- 

 portions as to inflame on passing an eltclric spark through 

 it without any addition, and to be thus convertible again 

 into carbonic acid. In the experiments of M. Saussuie, 

 jun,*, that ingenious philosopher obtained oniy car- 

 bonic oxide by the same operation, owing doubtless to 

 the electricity having btcn conveyed by conductors of cop- 

 j)er, which would bccnuK' oxidized, and prevent the oxygen 

 ilrom being evolved in a separate form. 



Carbonic oxide, electritied with similar precautions, did 

 not appear to undergo any change, tllevcn liundred dis- 

 charges frou! a Levden jar had no effect on a quantity of 

 the gas, equal to about cne-tentli of a cul)ic inch. Its 

 bulk, after this process, was unaltered ; no carbonic acid 

 could be discovered in it; and there was no decided trace 

 of oxygen tras in tJie residuun). 'j'he carbon, it appears, 

 therefore, which exists in carbonic oxide, must be held 

 tumbined by an extremely strong atfiniiy. 



With sincere esteem and respect, I am, dear sir, 



vour faithful and obliged friend, 



Wm. Henrv. 



X.XVII. Proposal for an Instihition for obtaining an equal 

 Ttmperutiire in Houses, 



George Street, Hannver Square, 

 Di;c.'J5, i;i09. 



To Mr. TiUoch. 



w, 



DKAR SIR, 



ITH your approbation and in your presence I, some 

 time a<_'0, wrote hastily, and without any paiiieular care in 

 die coirtposltion, aiunivmously, an account of a proji-cl of 

 an mstiiuiion which I had long enterlaiiud, consisting of 

 an extensive building, so conKtiucted as to afford in every 

 part an equal and oummer temperature f. Ol tli;- gicat 



♦ J •iiriinl ilr riiiisiifiie, f<»rr.e liv. p. -iiO. 

 f Sec rfiil. Mag viil xxxi. ;». :U1. 



V f 3 advantages 



