“Hydrogen and Carbon. 267 
have analysed olefiant gas left little doubt that thetr analysis 
was accurate, I thought it worth while to repeat their ex- 
periments, in order to add my testimony to theirs. 
1. One ounce measure of alcohol, of the specific gravity 
0°826, and three ounce measures of sulphuric acid, of the 
specific gravity 1°60, were mixed together, and boiled in 
a small retort, almost to dryness; while the gaseous pro- 
ducts were received in the usual manner over water. The 
gases obtained (not reckoning the common air of the re- 
tort, which amounted to about 42 cubic inches,) were 146°12 
cubic inches of olefiant gas, and 53 cubic inches of car- 
bonic acid gas. The proportion of carbonic acid at first 
was very small, but it increased as the process went on, and 
at the end amounted to about one-half of the olefiant gas. 
The charry matter which remained in the retort, after being 
well washed and dried on a sand-bath, weighed 68 grains. 
2. A portion of this olefiant gas, deprived of its carbonic 
acid, but containing 16 percent. of common air, was found 
of the specific gravity 0°9766, that of air being 1°000. 
Hence the specific gravity of pure olefiant gas is 0°9745. 
This is heavier than it was found by the Dutch chemists, 
who state its specific gravity at 0-909. As far as I know, 
the specific gravity has not been taken before in this 
country. ~ ; 
3. Being curious to know the nature of the supposed oil 
which is formed when olefiant gas is mixed with oxymu- 
riatic acid gas, J filled a large bettle with olefiant gas, and 
passed acurrent of oxymuriatic acid gas into it: the wished- 
for substance soon collected at the bottom of the phial. It 
possessed the following properties. 
(1.) Tt was a liquid of a greenisb-white colour, with a 
slight smell of oxymuriatic acid, which it lost when allowed 
to siand a sufficient time exposed to the air. Its tasie was 
sweet and cooling, and it made a strong, though not un- 
pleasant, impression on the palate. 
(2.) When dropped into water, it fell to the bottom, and 
looked like so much melted phosphorus. It continued in 
that state for some time if left at rest; but when the mix- 
ture was agitated, it dissolved in the water. The liquid 
continued colourless, acquired a sweet and cooling agree- 
able taste, and a slight aromatic odour. It did not affect 
vegetable blugs, but precipitated copiously with nitrate of 
silver. 
(3.) When dropped into alcohol, the Siquid appeared 
milky at first, but almost immediately became transparent, 
a complete solution being effected. 
(4.) Sul- 
