700 



The theoretical numbers for carbonic oxide and for olefiant gas 

 are as follows : 



Carbonic oxide. Olefiant gas. 



Volume taken 100 100 



Carbonic acid 100 200 



Contraction 50 200 



Oxygen consumed 50 300 



Comparison of the analysis with these numbers will show that the 

 gas was pure oxide of carbon. Furthermore, if we assume that the 

 trifling departure from the theoretical quantities for pure oxide of 

 carbon was due to the presence of olefiant gas, and if we calculate 

 how much olefiant gas would be required, we obtain a negative value 

 for the quantity of olefiant gas from one equation, and a positive one 

 from the other equation, viz. : 



By employing for data the original volume and the carbonic acid 

 generated, the value of C 4 H 4 is negative. 



Vol. of C 4 H 4 =vol. of CO 2 - original vol. = 0-82 per cent. 



By employing for data the original volume and the contraction, the 

 value of C 4 H 4 becomes positive. 



Vol. of C 4 H 4 =f contraction ^ original vol. = 1 '19 per cent. 



This want of conformity shows that C 4 H 4 will not satisfy the condi- 

 tions of the case, and may be regarded as excluding the supposition 

 that a trace even of C 4 H 4 was present in the gas examined. 



When it is considered that on Dr. Geuther's hypothesis every 

 volume of carbonic acid absorbed should be replaced by an equal 

 volume of olefiant gas, and when it is borne in mind that sodium- 

 alcohol and carbonic oxide must have been less perfectly exposed to 

 mutual action in Dr. Geuther's experiment than in the one just 

 described, I think the conclusion cannot be avoided, that that expe- 

 rimenter's formic acid came not from sodium-alcohol, but from 

 hydrate of soda. 



In a previous experiment I failed to obtain propionic acid on 

 exposing at 100 C. carbonic oxide along with sodium-alcohol, and 

 in so far my result agrees with that of Dr. Geuther. 



To resume : at 100 C. sodium-alcohol is without action on car- 

 bonic oxide. 



This research was made in the laboratory of Prof. Bunsen. 



