190 "Experiments to determine the [Sept. 



altered. Twelve hours after this I again repeated tlie electrical 

 discharge, when an explosion was in consequence produced, which 

 caused the diminution of the gases to 0*81 cubic inches. This 

 diminution indicates of hydrogen in the proportion of 42"42pefr 

 cent, of the mixed gas first employed. 



A portion of nitrous gas was mixed with an equal measure of 

 waxed gas, in order to detect the presence of oxygen. A slight 

 white cloudiness appeared, which deposited itself on the sides of 

 the vessel. A diminution of volume ensued, amounting to about 

 1T94 percent, of the whole mixture. This mixture was examined 

 about a fortnight after : it then retained the smell of sulphuretted 

 hydrogen, but none of nitrous gas. An electrical discharge sent 

 through it produced no change of volume. An equal portion of 

 atmospheric air was now mixed with it; but no change of colour, 

 nor any diminution of volume, was observable. Electrical shocks 

 still refused to produce any effects. These combined gases afterwards 

 acquired the smell of ammonia. 



Phosphorus heated in the mixed gas rose in a Mate of white 

 fume, which condensed in a white crust on the surface of the 

 mercury : there was, however, no lufn pearance. The gas, 



on cooling, was found diminished in volume 11*11 per cent. 



A portion of the phosphorus was condensed on the sides of the 

 retort, and a black crust formed on the sides of the tube near the 

 surface of the mercury. The usidual g^is no longer acted upon 

 mercury, though sta il sev< i days; it had also lust its 



offensive smell. This r i i, when id in Voha's eudio- 



meter with atmospheric air, indicated the nee of 80'98 per 



cent, of hydrogen in the mixed gas originally employed. The tube 

 in which the phosphorus liad 'icd in the gas was found to 



emit copious white fumes, altho ature was only 33^ 



Fahr. On applying heat to the black crust, white fumes arose : it 

 disappeared, leaving small globules of runni Hie gas 



remaining after the explosion was passed through solutions of 

 acetates of zinc, lead, and barytes-; bui were produced: 



A portion of the residual gas, after the action of phosphorus on the 

 mixed gas, was sent through a solution of acetate of zinc, when a 

 very slight white precipitate collected, and the gas diminished in 

 volume 40 per cent., a quantity equal to 35'6 per cent of the 

 original mixed gas. There has been then. on the whole a diminution 

 of 35G + 11-11 = 46'7 per cent, in the. mixed gas originally 

 employed. Another portion of this same residuum was passed 

 through a solution of acetate of lead, on which a dark precipitate 

 immediately formed ; but an accident prevented an observation of 

 the result. The remaining portion of this residuum was fired in 

 Volta's eudiometer, without any effect; but when mixed with 

 atmospheric air, it exploded; and the diminution that followed 

 indicated the presence of a quantity of hydrogen equal to 80'98 per 

 cent, of the mixed gas originally employed. 



The ucid gas resembles most in its chemical relations sulphureted 



