1826.] of Carbon and Hydrogen, &;c. 49 



With regard to the composition of this substance, my experi- 

 ments tend to prove it a binary compound of carbon and hydro- 

 gen, two proportionals of the former element being united to one 

 of the latter. The absence of oxygen is proved by the inaction 

 of potassium, and the results obtained when passed through a 

 red hot tube. 



The following is a result obtained when it was passed in 

 vapour over heated oxide of copper. 0-776 grain of the sub- 

 stance produced 5-6 cubic inches of carbonic acid gas, at a 

 temperature of 60°, and pressure 29-98 inches ; and O-Ss'grain 

 of water were collected. The 5-6 cubic inches of gas are equi- 

 valent to 0-711704 grain of carbon by calculation, and the 0-58 

 grain of water to 0-064444 of hydrogen. 



Carbon 0-711704 or 11-44 



Hydrogen 0-064444 1- 



These quantities nearly equal in weight the weight of the sub- 

 stance used ; and making the hydrogen 1, the carbon is not far 

 removed from 12, or two proportionals. 



Four other experiments* gave results all approximating to the 

 above. The mean result was 1 hydrogen. 11-57 6 carbon. 



Now considering that the substance must, according to the 

 manner in which it was prepared, still retain a portion of the 

 body boihng at 186°, but remaining fluid at 0°, and which 

 substance 1 find, as will be seen hereafter, to contain less carbon 

 than the crystalline compound (only about 8-25 to 1 of hydro- 

 gen). It may be admitted, I think, that the constant thoucrh 

 small deficit of carbon found in the experiments is due to the 

 portion so retained ; and that the crystalline compound would, 

 if pure, yield 12 of carbon for each 1 of hydrogen; or two pro- 

 portionals of the former element and one of the latter. 



2 proportionals carbon 12 ) ,0 i • ,. . ^ , , 



1 proportional hydrogen . . 1 / ^"^ bi-carburet of hydrogen. 



This result is confirmed by such data as I have been able to 

 obtain by detonating the vapour of the substance with oxygen. 

 Thus jn one experiment 8092 mercury grain measures of oxygen 

 at 62 had such quantity of /.he substance introduced into it as 

 would entirely rise in vapour ; the volume increased to 8505, 

 hence the vapour amounted to 413 parts, or ~ of the mixture 

 nearly. Seven volumes of this mixture were detonated in an 

 eudiometer tube by an electric spark, and diminished in conse- 

 quence nearly to 6-1 : these acted upon by potash were further 



forming peculiar salts, which I have not yet had time, but which it is my intention, to 

 examine, as well as the products formed by the action of sulphuric acid on naphtha, 

 essential oils, fee. and even upon starch and lignine, in the production of sugar, gum, 

 &c. where no carbonization takes place, but where similar results seem to occur. 



iVeu; Series, vol. xi. e 



