$42 } Observations on the Absorption of (Nov. 
Solid-budies appear, under the same circumstances, to produce a 
greater condensation of all gases in the contact of which they are 
placed than liquid bodies do. J have met with no liquid which 
absorbs so great a volume of carbonic acid, olefiant gas, azotic gas, 
carbonic oxjde, and nitrous oxide, as charcoal and meerschaum do. 
‘The difference is probably owing to this circumstance, that liquids, 
in consequence of the great mobility of their parts, cannot com- 
press the gases so strongly as is necessary for greater condensation ; 
certain cases excepted, where very powerful chemical affinities 
comé to their assistance ; as, for example, the affinity of ammonia 
and muriatic acid for water. Only in these rare cases do liquids 
condense a greater quantity of gases than solid bodies,.* While in 
these last bodies the size of the pores determines the space occupied 
by the absorbed gas, the parts of liquid bodies, in consequence of 
their separation from each other, have a disposition to increase their 
distance, in proportion as the gases are absorbed. + ; 
12. Influence of the Viscidity and of the Specific Gravity of Liquids 
‘on their Absorption of Gases. 
In my experiments on the influence of the physical state of the 
liquid upon its power of absorbing, I have employed carbonie acid 
gas, which I have placed in contact with a great number of liquids, 
very different both in their liquidity and in their specific gravity. 
The following table exhibits the result of these experiments : they 
were performed at the temperature of 62°5°; and likewise the bulk 
of carbonic acid gas absorbed by one volume of the different 
liquids :— . MON A Ge fe 
Liquids, Sp. Gr. olmgent £25 100 parts of the solution contain 
absorbed. 
Atconolitre ctetemtar serial 0°803 2°6 
Sulphuric ether ......) 0°127 2:17 
Oil of Javender .,:...| 08380 191 
Oil of thyme.......... 0:890 1°88 
Spirit of wine .....:.. 0°84 1°8T 
Rectified naptha...... 0:784 1°69. 
Oil of turpentine ....| 0°86 1:66 
Linseed oi! .,....:...| 0-94 1°56 
MOIRVEMONL a Aides ce aeal 0915 1°51 
WHE SS. Sk et Ree 1-000 1-06 
Sal-amnioniac ........ 1-078 0-15 27°53 cryst.sait. Sat. solution. 
Gum-arabic ........-- 1-092 075 25 gum. 
* According to Thamson, water in the mean temperature of the atmosphere 
absorbs 516 times its bulk of muriatic acid gas, and 780 times its bulk of amme- 
niacal gas, ‘ , fess 
+ Water by absorbing gases incteases in volume, and a perceptible heat is 
evolved, when the quantity absorbed at least equals the volume of the absorbing 
liquid. The specific gravity of a liquid saturated with gas is therefore smaller 
than it ought to be, calculating from the quantity of gas absorbed. Thomson draws 
an argument from this against the opinion of mere mechanical penetration, 
