544 Experiments hi Gatvatiic 'EleSlricity. 



exploded by the eleftric fpark over mercury, difappeared, 'iH-* 

 cept about t?^ of a nicafure, which appeared to be azot. 



Two gold wires were pafled through corks, feciired by 

 cement in the ends of a glafs tube, about i6 inches long, 

 bent into the form of the letter V; they reached to within 

 an inch of each other, at the angle, in which there was a 

 hole about one-tenlh of an inch in diameter. The tube was 

 then filled with diiliiled water, and the opening at the angle 

 being fhut with the finger to keep in the water, it was thus 

 placed in a cup of water with the angle ddwnwards. The 

 extremities of the wires being then joined to thofe of the 

 pile, gas was diferigaoed from both, but moft from that 

 connected with the iilver ; the gafes were thus kept dif- 

 tinft. One meafure of the gas from the filver end, mixed 

 with one of nitrous gas, gave red fumes, a diininutioti of 

 one-third of a meafure, and a refiduum confining of nitrous 

 and hydrogen gas. Two meafures with one of oxygen being 

 exploded ovet mercury dlfappeared, except about one-fifth 

 of a meafure, which bv the nitrous left appeared to be 

 chiefly oxvgen. A denfe white vapour was perceived over 

 the mercury for fome time after the explofion. One mea- 

 fure of the gas from the zinc end, being mi.xed with two of 

 nitrous gas, the whole nearly difappeared: another meafure 

 of the latter being added, the total diminution was nearly 

 ihree meafures. 



With platina wires Mr. Cruickfliank obtained almofl: 

 fimilar refults. The one ronneclcd with the zinc end be- 

 came tarnifhcd j the fai>ie thing happened when gold wires 

 Were ufed. 



A folution of cryftallized muriat of limcj inclofed in a 

 tube in the common manner, and gold wires being em- 

 ployed, the one from the filver gare little gas, but that front 

 the zinc a confiderable quantity, and the fluid furrouriding 

 it affiimed a fine yellow colour^ a folutioh of the gold having 

 been efiedled. After a time fome gas came from the firlt 

 wire, but there was no precipitation of lime. When the 

 tube was opened, the fluid fnielled of aqua rcgia, or the 

 oxy-muriatin acid. When platina wires were employed in 

 place of gold, the fmcll of nitro-muriatic acid was foon ob- 

 % fcrvsble 



