3 A HANDBOOK FOR SOUTHPORT. 



same element, to which has been given the name of ozone. 

 This substance, as the etymology of the word suggests, is 

 known by its peculiar smell, which somewhat resembles that 

 of burning sulphur. The odour may be perceived in a room 

 in which electrical or galvanic machines have been in action, 

 and often in the open air after a thunderstorm. Experiment- 

 ally, ozone may be produced by passing electric sparks 

 through confined portions of air. Its presence, in association 

 with lightning, is thus easily explained. Ozone (discovered 

 by Dr. Schonbein) is oxygen in an allotropic condition, three 

 volumes of oxygen forming two of ozone. Hence it derives 

 the peculiar combining power which ordinary oxygen does not 

 possess. Whether the presence of ozone be due to the 

 electrical state of the atmosphere, to partial decomposition 

 of water, or to the presence of peroxide of hydrogen, it is 

 usually most plentiful upon the surface of the sea, and to it 

 the invigorating power of the sea air is in a great measure 

 due. Indirectly, ozone is beneficial in destroying noxious 

 effluvia and miasms. Indeed, it may be regarded as nature's 

 disinfectant, accomplishing or accelerating the oxidation of 

 all decomposing animal and vegetable matter, and being a 

 potent agent for the destruction of the germs of zymotic 

 disease. Owing to its energy as an oxidizing agent it is 

 often difficult to detect in the air of large towns, and 

 wherever there is much decomposing animal matter. As 

 ozone is found most plentifully above the surface of or 

 near the sea, and where vegetation is scanty, and is associated, 

 moreover, with the prevalence of south-westerly winds, it is 

 not surprising that it should constitute a distinguishing feature 

 of the air of Southport. 



