258 FUMIGATION METHODS 



poses and is sold at a $>rice within reach of those who 

 desire to use if for economic purposes. 



Chemical properties. Carbon bisulphid is a color- 

 less liquid resembling water. It is formed by the 

 union of two elementary particles of sulphur with one 

 of carbon (charcoal) ; thus the chemical symbol CS 2 . 

 It is made on a large scale by a new electric process 

 invented and patented by Edward R. Taylor. The 

 fumes of burning sulphur are passed over red-hot 

 charcoal and the resulting vapors are condensed to a 

 liquid by cooling. Mr. Taylor's new plant at Pen Yan, 

 New York, has a daily capacity of 20,000 pounds at 

 present. The liquid is one-fourth heavier than water. 

 Its specific gravity is 1.29 at the freezing temperature 

 of water. It is very refractive, reflecting light much 

 more readily than water when its surface is disturbed. 

 It is extremely volatile and evaporation is rapid when 

 the surface is exposed to the air. The temperature of 

 the liquid and the air, as well as the evaporating sur- 

 face, determines the rapidity of evaporation. By cov- 

 ering the surface of carbon bisulphid with water, 

 which is lighter, evaporation can be prevented. 



Carbon bisulphid is not necessarily dangerous to 

 the skin, but when the fingers or hands are frequently 

 moistened with it the skin becomes rather dry and 

 harsh and liable to crack or chafe. On account of its 

 volatility it absorbs considerable heat. Perfectly pure 

 carbon bisulphid has an acrid taste and a rather 

 sweetish, not disagreeable, etherial odor, similar indeed 

 to that of ether or chloroform. Pure carbon bisulphid 

 will not injure or stain the finest garments or fabrics. 

 It can be poured directly upon food stuffs without im- 



