31 '2 Society of Antiquaries. 



either with oxygen or common air,) but was inflammable 

 by electricity, and was thus convertible into carbonic acid, 

 and a considerable portion of azote remained after the 

 inflammation. The properties of this gas changed by being 

 kept in a phial uncorked : the inflamni.-iljle portion dimi- 

 nished, and the rcbidiium of azote increased. 



After this gas had come over, large portions of hydrogen 

 and carburetted hydrogen were obuined. They were 

 niixed with small portions of azote and oxygen to the end 

 of.the process. 



Besides these gasts there was also carbonic acid in great 

 abundance. 



4. These experiments were performed in earthen retorts, 

 which might be suspected to permit some atmospheric air 

 to pass through their pores : and such appears on trial to 

 be the case. "For, on using glass retorts, the results were 

 considerably different. The first products were carbonic 

 acid, and small quantities both of azote and oxygen, which 

 were left after the carbonic acid had been removed by lime- 

 water. But towards the end of the process, instead of a 

 residuary portion of azote and oxygen, a peculiar gas was 

 observed similar in many respects to that described. It 

 could not be inflair.cd by a candle, when mixed with at- 

 mospheric air, or with oxygen gas; but it inflamed by a 

 smart electric shock, and carbonic acid was produced. A 

 more minute research detected also the production of nitric 

 acid from the detonation of this gas. On this account 

 Dr. Lambe has given it tlie name bf nilro-carhonic oxide. 



5. When this process was conducted in glass retorts, 

 not the smallest vestige of hydrogen or carburetted hy- 

 drogen could be observed, which were so abundant when 

 the earthen retorts were used. But still small quantities 

 both of azote and oxygen cairie over to the very end. 

 Water also appeared to be produced in every stage of the 

 process. 



April 23, Part of a Marine Meteorological Journal, by 

 Capt. Heywood, communicated by Capt. Horsburgh, was 

 read. 



SOCIETY OF AXTiaUAKIHS OF LONDON. 



Thursday Apiil 25, being St. George's day, the Socie- 

 ty of Antiquaries met at their apartments in Somerset Place, 

 in pursuance of their statutes and charier of incorporation, 



to 



