1826.J of Carbon and Hydrogen, S>,c. 97 



volume, which was oxygen. Hence 74 volumes had been 

 consumed, consisting of 



Vapour of substance 1"1 



Oxygen 6'3 



Carbonic acid formed 4*3 



Oxygen in carbonic acid 4*3 



Oxygen combining with hydrogen 2-0 



Diminution by spark 3" 1 



This is nearly as if 1 volume of the vapour or gas had required 

 6 volumes of oxygen, had consumed 4 of them in producing 4 

 of carbonic acid gas, and had occupied the other 2 by 4 of 

 hydrogen to form water. Upon which view, 4 volumes or pro- 

 portionals of hydrogen = 4, are combined with 4 proportionals 

 of carbon = 24, to form one volume of the vapour, the specific 

 gravity of which would therefore be 28. Now this is but little 

 removed from the actual specific gravity obtained by the preced- 

 ing experiments ; and knowing that this vapour must contain 

 small portions of other substances in solution, there appears no 

 reason to doubt that, if obtained pure, it would be found thus 

 constituted. 



As the proportions of the elements in this vapour appear to be 

 the same as in defiant gas, it became interesting to ascertain 

 whether chlorine had the same action upon it as on the latter 

 body. Chlorine and the vapour were therefore mixed in an 

 exhausted retort : rapid combination took place, much heat was 

 evolved, and a liquor produced resembling hydro-chloride of 

 carbon, or the substance obtained by the same process from 

 defiant gas. It was transparent, colourless, and heavier than 

 water. It had the same sweet taste, but accompanied by an 

 after aromatic bitterness, very persistent. Further, it was com- 

 posed of nearly equal volumes of the vapour and chlorine : it 

 could not therefore be the same as the hydro-chloride of carbon 

 from defiant gas, since it contained twice as much carbon and 

 hydrogen. It was therefore treated with excess of chlorine in 

 sun-light: action slowly took place, more chlorine combined 

 with the substance, muriatic acid was formed, and ultimately a 

 fluid tenacious triple compound of chlorme, carbon, and hydro- 

 gen was obtained, but no chloride of carbon. This is a remark- 

 able circumstance, and assists iti showing, that though the 

 elements are the same, and in the same proportions as in olefiant 

 gas, they are in a very different state of combination. 



The tension of the most volatile part of the condensed oil gas 

 liquid, and indeed of the substance next beneath olefiant gas in 

 elasticity existing in the mixture constituting oil gas, appears to 

 be equal to about four atmospheres at the temperature of 60*** 



New Series, vol. xi. H 



