On Pi/roligncous JEther. 317 



constantly found in the decomposition of wood, coal, and oil, 

 that both the proportions and qualities of the products are 

 greatly influenced by the temperature, and construction of the 

 apparatus. On decomposing coal, the proportions of the 

 gases, as well as of the ammonia, tar, essential oil, naphtha- 

 line, &c. will greatly depend on these circumstances. On d&- 

 composing oil, the products may be diversified by the appa- 

 ratus employed and by the mode of conducting the operation. 

 J pointed out on a former occasion, that the decomposition of 

 this substance commences at the temperature usually called its 

 boiling point ; and I believe the effect called ebullition in this 

 case is mei'ely produced by the extrication of gas; and if fixed 

 oil is thus operated upon, a considei'able portion of it is con- 

 verted iiito volatile oil. At a higher temperatme the carbon, 

 hydi'ogen, and oxygen of the oil, will either form their flill pro- 

 portion of gas fit for illumination, or acetic acid will be pro- 

 duced, and gas of less illuminatmg power according to the con- 

 ditions under which tlie operation may be conducted. 



I have merely sent you these remarks, that the attention of 

 other scientific men who have more leisure may be tempted to 

 pursue a subject which appears to me an interesting one. And 

 I shall be happy if they produce a little inquiry uito the nature 

 of the singular fluid which I have described. 



I am, gentlemen, yours most truly, 

 Bromley, Middlesex, Oct. 18. PhilIP TaylOR, 



I have sent Mr. Garden, of .372 Oxford-street, some of the 

 pyroligneous aether, that any gentleman wishing to examine it 

 may know where to obtain it. 



LIX. 0:i a Lunar Iris, or lialnbow by Moonlight. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 



KGosport, October 22, 1822. 

 NowiNG that you are desirous of gratifying 

 your readers with descriptions of rare meteoric and atmospheric 

 vhrenomcna, I inclose you one for the Philoso})hical Magazine 

 and Journal, on the Iris Lunuris that appeared here last even- 

 ing ; witl) a short account of three more that have also been 

 seen here during the last five years. 

 I am, gentlemen, 



Your very obedient servant, 



William Burney. 



Last evening at .Gl miinites past G o'clock, the eastern limb 

 of a hinar iris a|»))eared immediately over Portsmouth Dock- 

 yard, and in two minutes aftcrwanls the oilier limb ajjpearcd 



over 



