in "HEIDELBERG DU FEINE*" 53 



Playfair, he conducted a series of experiments which 

 have resulted in economies the money value of which 

 may be reckoned by millions of pounds. 



Clear light was thrown by these researches in other 

 directions upon the chemistry of the blast-furnace. 

 For example, the formation of cyanogen in the furnace 

 was unknown until it was discovered accidentally, as 

 thus described by Playfair : " Bunsen was engaged 

 below, and I above, passing the gases through water 

 to collect any soluble products, when I was alarmed 

 by being told that my friend had become suddenly ill. 

 I ran down and saw white fumes coming out of a 

 lateral tube, and Bunsen apparently recovering from a 

 fainting condition. I applied my nose to the orifice 

 and smelt the vapour of cyanide of potassium, which 

 gave an entirely new light to the processes of the 

 furnace." 



These important results could not have been 

 achieved if Bunsen had not previously elaborated an 

 accurate method of gas analysis. No one before his 

 time could undertake accurate determinations of the 

 several constituents of a gaseous mixture. His book 

 on gasometry the only book he ever wrote is a 

 remarkable one. For originality of conception, for 

 success in overcoming difficulties, for ingenuity in the 

 construction of apparatus, and for accurate methods, 

 this book as a record of experimental work is, I believe, 

 unequalled. Many were the physical properties of 

 gases which formed the subject of Bunsen's investiga- 

 tion. He devised new methods of attack ; he invented 

 novel instruments for effecting his object, and was 

 thereby able to study with accuracy the phenomena of 

 gaseous diffusion and absorption. All these researches 

 were masterpieces of experimental skill and of accurate 

 and painstaking work. 



