SIMPLE COMBUSTIBLES. 143 



LESSON 65. 



Simple Combustibles. 



E''fchers, volatile liquids formed by the distillation of some of the 

 acids with alcohol. APcohol, rectified spirit of wine. It is al- 

 ways the same from whatever kind of spirit it is distilled : it is 

 the purely spirituous part of all liquors that have undergone 

 the villous fermentation. 



The combinations of sulphur are denominated sulphurets ; of 

 phosphorus, p hasp hurets ; of carbon, carburets ; of hydrogen, 

 hydrurets ; the sulphuret of iron, for instance, is the union of 

 sulphur with iron. 



Most of the simple substances are combustible, or bear 

 ;ome relation to combustion. Light and caloric are evolved 

 luring combustion ; oxygen is the principal agent ; and hy- 

 Irogen, sulphur, phosphorus, carbon, and the metals, are the 

 ubjects, or the true instruments of this process. Hydrogen 

 jas may be combined with water, sulphur, pliosphorus, or 

 v^ith carbon. When combined with phosphorus it forms 

 (hosphuretted hydrogen gas, which takes fire whenever it 

 omes m contact with atmospheric air. The elastic sub- 

 tance, which is called carburetted hydrogen gas, is carbon 

 [issolved in hydrogen ; it has likewise been called heavy 

 nflammable air. It is this gaseous compound which has 

 tccasioned so many dreadful accidents to miners, who 

 ;all it the fire-damp. This gas is procured from pit-coal by 

 [ry distillation ; and from its inflammability and brilliant 

 lame, it has been used for lighting streets, shops, manufac- 

 ories, and light-houses on the sea-coast. The rate at which 

 t is procured is trifling compared to the expense of oil and 

 allow. 



Phosphorus is a solid inflammable substance, which burns 

 It a very low temperature, when in contact with oxygen gas 

 )r atmospheric air. Many amusing experiments may be 

 )erformed with it, but it must be handled with extreme 

 ;aution. If you fix a piece of solid phosphorus in a quill, 

 nd write with it upon paper, the writing, in a dark room, 

 /ill be beautifully luminous. If the face or hands be rubbed 

 I'ith phosphuretted ether, they will appear, in a dark place, 

 .s though on fire, without danger or sensation of heat. 



Pure carbon is known only in the diamond ; but carbon 

 a the state of charcoal may be procured by heating to red- 



