In/elligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 231 



" Results of the Combustion of the two Spec'us of Phosphureted Hijdro- 

 gen Gas ivith Oxygen Gas. 



— Vols, of For phospho- For plios- 



hydr. phosp. ric acid, phorous acid. 



8 vols, of proto-phos-1 ^^ ^ ^ take oxygen 16 12 



phureted gas .... J 



Deduct oxygen due to the hydrogen. . 6 6 



Oxygen due to the phosphorus 10 6 



8 vols, of per-phos-1 ,2^9 ^^ke oxygen 21 15 



phureted gas .... \ 



Deduct oxygen due to the hydrogen. . 6 6 



Oxygen due to the phosphorus 15 9 



" The results of the combustion of both gases conspire, therefore, if 

 correct, to prove that the proportion of oxygen in the phosphoric acid 

 is to that in the phosphorous as 10 to 6, or 15 to 9, which are the 

 same proportions as 5 to 3. 



" From a review of the compounds of hydrogen and phosphorus, 1 

 am disposed, however, to abide by the opinion expressed, vol. i. p. 465, 

 that more facts are wanted to decide the constitution of these gases. 

 The facility of obtaining the proto-phosphureted hydrogen in a state 

 of purity, the uniformity of its composition when first evolved, its per- 

 manency when long kept, and its uniting constantly with the same 

 proportion of oxygen, point out that gas as a true chemical compound. 

 Whereas, the variable purity of the per-phosphureted species, its 

 change of constitution by mere standing, and the uncertainty as to 

 the proportion of oxygen required for its combustion, show an insta- 

 bility of composition, which is inconsistent with the characters of a 

 true chemical compound. 



" The equivalent number for phosphorus, however, as derived from 

 the composition of either species of phosphureted hydrogen, does not 

 accord with the relative weight of that substance (viz. 12), deducible 

 from its compounds with oxygen. The nearest approximation to the 

 number attained by the latter method is 10-5917. Multiplied and 

 more correct experiments will, it is to be hoped, reconcile these in- 

 congruities.'' 



ANALYSIS OF SILICEOUS MINERALS BY ALKALINE CARBONATES. 



The ready fusion, observed by M. Berthier, of many atomic mix- 

 tures of salts, may be applied to the analysis of siliceous minerals by 

 alkaline carbonates, aided by a spirit-lamp. A mixture of five parts 

 of carbonate of potash and four parts of carbonate of soda is so fusible, 

 that between 200 and 300 grains may be rendered perfectly liquid by 

 a spirit-lamp flame. If sand be added to the mixture, there is an 

 efiervescence as lively as if an acid had been added. This effer- 

 vescence occasions the expulsion of part of the substance ; and by 

 the addition of too much sand, the mass would become too difficult of 



fusion. 



