298 Chemical Instruments and Operations. 
posing the nitrate of ammonia, as the action otherwise may 
suddenly become so violent, as to burst the retort. The 
over, consisting of the air previously in the retort, are to be 
allowed to escape through the cock, H. As soon as the ni- 
trous oxide is evolved, it may be detected by allowing a jet 
from this cock, to act upon the flame of a taper. 
To obtain good nitrous oxide gas, it is not necessary that 
the nitrate of ammonia should be erystallized ; nor does the 
presence of a minute quantity of muriatic acid, interfere 
with the result. I have employed advantageously in the 
production of this gas, the concrete mass formed by satura- 
ting strong nitric acid, with carbonate of ammonia. 
The saturation may be effected in a retort, and the de- 
composition accomplished by exposing the compound thus 
formed, to heat, without further preparation. 
Rationale.—Of the production of nitrous oxide, by the de- 
structive distillation of nitrate of ammonia. 
Nitrate of ammonia, consists of nitric acid and ammonia. 
Nitric acid consists of five atoms of oxygen, and one of nitro- 
gen; ammonia, of one atom of nitrogen, with three atoms 
of hydrogen. In all five atoms of oxygen, three of hydro- 
gen, and two of nitrogen are present, in one atom of the 
salt. It must be evident, that if, in consequence of the heat, 
each atom of hydrogen takes one of oxygen, there will be 
but one atom of oxygen left for each atom of nitrogen. 
Hence, the whole of the salt is resolved into water, and pro- 
toxide of nitrogen, or nitrous oxide. 
Properties and composition of nitrous oxide. 
It is a permanent gas. One hundred cubic inches weigh 
about fifty grains. It supports the combustion of a candle 
flame vividly ; though nitric oxide gas, containing twice as 
‘ much oxygen, does not. Phosphorus is difficult to inflame 
in it, but burns with rapidity, when once on fire. The habi- 
tudes of sulphur are, in this respect, analogous to those of 
hosph n iron wire burns in it nearly as well as in 
oxygen gas. Nitrous oxide may be exploded with hydrogen, 
forming water, and sometimes nitric acid. It has no attri- 
