of Chlorine and Carbon, &c. 339 
tial vacuum; which was again filled with olefiant gas, and the 
process repeated until all the chlorine had united to form the 
fluid, and the vessel remained full of olefiant gas. Chlorine was 
then admitted in repeated portions as before; consequently more 
of the fluid formed ; and ultimately a large portion was obtained 
in the bottom of the vessel, and an atmosphere of chlorine above 
it. It was now exposed to sun light. The chlorine immediately 
disappeared, and the vessel became filled with muriatic acid gas. 
Having ascertained that water did not interfere with the action 
of the substances, a small portion was admitted into the vessel, 
which absorbed the muriatic acid gas, and then another atmo- 
sphere of chlorine was introduced. Again exposed to the light, 
this was partly combined with the carbon, and partly converted 
into muriatic acid gas; which being, as before, absorbed by the 
water, left space for more chlorine. Repeating this action, the 
fluid gradually became thick and opaque from the formation of 
crystals in it, which at last adhered ta the sides of the glass as 
it was turned round; and ultimately the vessel only contained 
chlorine with the accumulated gaseous impurities of the succes- 
sive portions, a strong solution of muriatic acid coloured blue 
from the solution of a little brass, and the solid substance. 
I have frequently carried the process thus far in retorts; and 
it is evident that any conveniently formed glass vessel will an- 
swer the purpose. The admission of water during the process 
prevents the necessity of repeated exhaustion by the air-pump, 
which cannot be done without injury to the latter; but to have 
_ the full advantage of this part of the process, the gases should be 
as pure as possible, that no atmosphere foreign to the experiment 
may collect in the vessel. 
In order to cleanse the substance, the remaining chlorine and 
‘muriatic acid were blown out of the vessel by a pair of bellows, 
introduced at the stoppered aperture, and the vessel aftetwards 
filled with water, to wash away the muriatic acid and other solu- 
ble matters. Considerable care is then requisite in the further 
purification of the chloride. It retains water, muriatic acid, and 
a substance, which I find to be a triple compound of chlorine, 
carbon, and hydrogen, formed from the cement of the cap; and 
as all these contain hydrogen, a sinall quantity of any one re- 
maining with the chloride would, in analysis, give erroneous re= 
sults. Various methods of purification may be devised, founded 
on the properties of the substance, but | have found the following 
the most convenient:—The substance is to be washed from off 
the glass, and poured with the water into a jar; a litile alcohol 
will remove the last portions which adhere to the glass; and this, 
when poured into the water, will precipitate the chloride, and 
the whole will fall to the bottom of the vessel. Then having 
Uu2 decanted 
