OZONE IN THE AIR. 255 



not similar in their properties, and it is Pro- 

 fessor Schonbein's opinion that they are not 

 the same substance. Like peroxide of hydro- 

 gen, ozone bleaches powerfully. It appears 

 to be produced even in the ordinary process 

 of combustion ; it is also formed during the 

 passage of a galvanic current through water, 

 and probably in many other artificial ways. 

 In nature, ozone is often produced in a large 

 measure during electrical changes in the air. 

 During the night, when plants rest from their 

 daily functions, they emit this remarkable 

 principle ; and it is said that a part of the pecu- 

 liar smell perceived in the early day when the 



" saturated earth 



Awaits the morning beam, to give to light, 

 Kaised through ten thousand different plastic tubes, 

 The balmy treasures of the former day," 



is due to the existence of a portion of this prin- 

 ciple in the atmosphere. It appears probable, also, 

 that organic matter about to decay has the property 

 of developing ozone, which then acts upon it. 



We are not yet able to state with precision 

 what purposes are served by this highly inte- 

 resting substance, ozone. Without doubt they 

 are important. Since it is a substance which 

 readily yields up its excess of oxygen, and 

 then becomes simply an oxide of hydrogen, 

 or, in other words, water, it may be the means 



