METALLOIDS. 



366. ACTION OF NASCENT OXYGEN. The 



Show the ad- 

 vantage of superior force of an element in its nascent 

 nascent oxy- con( ji t i on j s strikingly shewn in the above 

 experiment. A piece of calico, hung 

 in a bottle of oxygen gas, would not lose its color. 

 But the nascent oxygen which chlorine liberates, be- 

 gins to destroy the coloring matter on the first instant 

 of its liberation. 



367. CHLORINE AND TURPENTINE. Im- 



JJescnoe the 



inflaming of merse a rag wet with camphene or spirits 

 of turpentine in a vial of chlorine 

 gas. It is immediately inflamed, 

 with the production of dense black smoke. 

 Spirits of turpentine is composed of hydro- 

 gen and carbon. The former combines 

 energetically with chlorine, as to produce 

 flame in the above experiment, while the latter 

 is separated in the form of black particles, which con- 

 stitute the smoke. 



368. USE AS A DISINFECTANT. As chlo- 



Is chlorine a 



disinfectant ? rine destroys color, when used as a bleach- 

 ing agent, so it destroys noxious vapors in 

 the air. Its minute atoms fly forth like birds of prey, 

 seizing on the impurities of the atmosphere, and de- 

 vouring them. Chloride of lime is commonly substi- 

 tuted for chlorine for this use. A little of this salt is 

 placed in a saucer, and moistened, when it gradually 

 yields chlorine through the action of the carbonic acid 

 of the air. Stronger acids evolve it abundantly. 



