OXIDS OF CARBON, CARBONATES, ETC. Ill 



surface of the kerosene. If it flashes, note its temperature ; do not 

 let it burn ; should this occur, remove the thermometer and cover 

 the crucible. If the kerosene does not flash, repeat the test and if 

 necessary apply more heat until the flashing-point is reached. Cal- 

 culate the corresponding temperature on the Fahrenheit scale. 



132. Use of Gasoline. Gasoline is perfectly safe for 

 use as a fuel, provided a few simple precautions are ob- 

 served : ( i ) Never use a gasoline stove when there is 

 but little gasoline in the tank, because the last gas gen- 

 erated is mixed with air, and is liable to form an explo- 

 sive mixture. (2) All joints and connections about the 

 stove should be tight to prevent escape of gasoline into 

 the air. Lack of care in this respect is the most frequent 

 cause of fires. (3) The gasoline can should be well 

 corked! and stored in a cool place. (4) The stove should be 

 kept clean, and no deposit of carbon should be allowed to 

 collect upon the burners. 



133- Illuminating Gas. Illuminating gas is made from 

 soft coal and petroleum by destructive distillation. The 

 gases formed are washed and separated from ammonia 

 and coal-tar, and consist of various hydrocarbons which 

 are used for illuminating purposes. The coal, after being 

 deprived of its gaseous products, is converted into coke, 

 which bears the same relation to coal which charcoal bears 

 to wood. The ammonia and coal-tar are recovered as by- 

 products. Various coloring-matters are made from coal- 

 tar. 



If air is forced through gasoline in a confined chamber, 

 or if gasoline is vaporized, it will burn like ordinary coal 

 gas. Gasoline can be vaporized on a small scale, and 



