Papers relating io the Fusion of Carboy. 1g5 
‘Phe following eaten were suggested by those 
of Dr. Hare. ‘l melted some chlorate of potash in a silver 
spoon, to drive off the water of ene: taking ‘care 
not to expel its oxygen gas by raising the heat too high. 
Seven grains of this melted chlorate of potash were mixed 
with one grain of the melted matter from charcoal, and the two 
were triturated together in a mortar; the powder was then 
put into a glass tube, bent into the form of a retort well luted 
about the sealed end, where it was about 4 an inch in di- 
ameter. The luted end was then heated in a small French 
earthen furnace, connected with a small Pneumatic cistern. 
The tube was scarcely red hot when the gas came over with 
very great-rapidity, and so much sooner than was expected, 
that a considerable quantity, probably two-thirds, was 
that which was. caught was received in nae filled with lime- 
water, which it precipitated instantly an inily, 
not only when agitated with the linear ine each bubble 
as it passed indicated its course by “a distinct trace of white 
flocculi of precipitated caressa of lime; the heat 
raised, gas continued:to come, although much more 5 ing- 
by, but ev ‘ery bubble to the very last, continued abundantly 
to precipitate the lime-water, and the precipitate, when the 
vessels were set aside, formed a dense stratum as it settled 
to the bottom of the flask. My object being merely to ascer. 
tain in a che whether carbon existed in the fused matter, 
I did ‘e the precautions requisite to decide on the pro- 
ih can therefore state only this fact that the pre- 
cipitete: of carbonate of lime colleeted and dried, wei 
two grains implying one fourth of a grain of carbon, and if 
we allow for the gas which was lost there can be little doubt 
thatthe greater part of the melted matter was carbon. - The 
adhering to the melted masses. But most ‘of pret: i 
examined by a good magnifier, appeared entirely destitute of 
any such appendage ; and if any adhered, the quantity was 
evidently so small that it could not have seriously affected 
the result. ‘The residuary salt in the bent tube still contained 
portions of the melted matter dispersed about in the mass ; 
they were not affected by the magnet, and my engagements 
have not allowed me to examine them any further. What- 
ever impurities exist in charcoal are probably to be found in 
them also, but whether they contain more carbon FI cannot 
