188 Mr. Faraday on some nexio Products 



tained, and 0*6 grain of water. The carbonic acid and water 

 ai"e equivalent to 



Carbon .... 0'573176, or 8 '764 



Hydrogen. . . 0-066666 1- 



but as the substance must have contained much bi-carburet 

 of hydrogen, it is evident that, if in a pure state, the carbon 

 would fall far short of the above quantity, and the compound 

 would approximate of course to a simple cai'buret of hydro- 

 gen containing single proportionals. 



Ne-jo Carburet of Hydrogen. 



Of the various other products from the condensed liquor, 

 the next most definite to the bi-carburet of hydrogen appears 

 to be that which is most volatile. If a portion of the original 

 liquid be warmed by the hand or otherwise, and the vapour 

 which passes off be passed through a tube at 0°, very little 

 uncondensed vapour will go on to the meixurial trough ; but 

 there will be foimd after a time a portion of fluid in the tube, 

 distinguished by the following properties. Though a liquid 

 at 0°, it upon slight elevation of temperature begins to boil, 

 and before it has attained 32° is all resolved into vapour or 

 gas, which may be received and preserved over murcury. 



This gas is very combustible, and burns with a brilliant 

 flame. The specific gravity of the portion I obtained was be- 

 tween 27 and 28, hydrogen being 1 : for 39 cubic inches in- 

 troduced into an exhausted glass globe were found to increase 

 its weight 22-4' grains at 60° F., bar. 29-94. Hence 100 cubic 

 inches weigh nearly 57-44 grains. 



When cooled to 0° it condensed again ; and inclosed in this 

 state in a tube of known capacity, and hermetically sealed up, 

 the bulk of a given weight of the substance at common tem- 

 peratures was ascertained. This compared with water gave 

 the specific gravity of the liquid as 0-627 at 54°. It is there- 

 fore among solids or liquids the lightest body known. 



This gas or vapour when agitated with water is absorbed in 

 small quantities. Alcohol dissolves it in lai-ge quantity ; and 

 a solution is obtained, which, upon the addition of water, 

 effervesces, and a considerable quantity of the gas is liberated. 

 The alcoholic solution has a peculiar taste, and is neutral to 

 test papers. 



Olive oil dissolves about six volumes of the gas. 



Solution of alkali does not affect it ; nor does muriatic acid. 



Sulphuric acid condenses the gas in very large quantity, 

 1 volume of the acid condensing above 100 volumes of the 

 vapour. Sometimes the condensation is perfect ; at other times 

 a small quantity of residual gas is left, which burns with a 



pale 



