250 AIR VITIATED 



and form carbonic acid gas (or what is 

 vulgarly called fixed air). 



Q. Is CARBONIC ACID GAS wholesome ? 



A. No ; it is quite fatal to animal 

 life ; and whenever it is inhaled, it acts 

 like a narcotic poison, (producing drow- 

 siness which ends in death) . 



Q. Why is a CROWDED ROOM UNWHOLE- 

 SOME ? 



A. Because the oxygen of the air is 

 either absorbed by the lungs, or substi- 

 tuted for carbonic acid gas, which is a 

 noxious poison. 



Q. Mention the historical circumstances, so 

 well known in connection with the " BLACK HOLE 

 of CALCUTTA." 



A. In the reign of George II, the 

 Raja (or Prince) of Bengal* marched 

 suddenly to Calcutta to drive the 

 English from the country ; as the attack 

 was unexpected, the English were 

 obliged to submit, and 146 persons 

 were taken prisoners. 



* The Sur Raja, at Dowlat ; a young man of violent 

 passions, who had but just succeeded to the throne. 

 A. D. 1756. 



