[ 24$ ] [BookVL 



CHAP. XXXVIII. 



PHOSPHORUS. 



Phof^horus of Kunkel. Light from futrefcent Sufytances.- Curious 

 Faffs. -Light from the Sea Water, I3c. Lights about the Beds of 

 Sick Perfons. Phofphorus exhaled with the Sweat. Phcfphorated 

 Hydrogen Gas, 



PHOSPHORUS* is a fimple combuftible fub- 

 ftance, which was unknown to chemifts till 1667, 

 when it was difcovered by Brandt, a German chemifb, 

 who kept the procefs a fecret ; foon after Kunkel 

 found out Brandt's method of preparation, and made 

 it public. Ic has ever fince been known by the name 

 of Kunkel's phofphorus. The appearance of phof- 

 phorus is that of a tranfparent fubftance, of a colour 

 inclining to yellow, like clear horn j it is fpecifically 

 heavier than warer, is tough, and cuts like bees' wax, 

 and like it melts with a gentle heat into a tranfparent 

 fluid. With this heat it may be melted in water; 

 but if the fame degree of heat is applied in the open 

 air, it melts, takes fipe, and burns, producing a bright 

 white flame wich intenfe heat. Phofphorus fhould be 

 handled with great caution, as fhould any of it adhere 

 to the fkin, or get under the nails, the heat of the hu- 

 man body is fufficient to inflame it. The procefs for 

 obtaining phofphorus from bones was defcribed in 

 treating of the phofphoric acid. 



When a quantity of phofphorus is burnt in fmall 

 pieces under a bell, the phofphoric acid attaches itfclf 

 to the internal furface of the bell, in the form of a 



* Derived from the Greek" A fubfhmce affording light." 



downy 



