98 PHOSPHORUS. 



into an ear'henwnre retort, and place it in sand bafh, with the 

 beak p'un.ed into . i v -.^i-l <>l water Apply luat, and let if b<* 

 prm nail) inrnnsed, till the retort becomes red-hot. As the heat 

 increa-es, air.bnhhUs lu.^h in abundance through the beak of the 

 retort, some of which are inflamed when they eome in contact with 

 the air at (he surface of the water. A substance at last drop* out 

 similar to m< Ited wax, which congeals undT the water. This is 

 phosphorus. To hate it quite pure, melt it in warm wat< r, and 

 strain it several times through a piece of shamo) leather under the 

 surface of the water. To mould it into sticks, tfke a glass funnel 

 with a long tube, which must be stopped with a cork. Fill it with 

 water, and put the phosphorus into it. Immerse the funnel in 

 boiling water, and when the phosphorus is melted, and flows into 

 the tube of the funnel, then plunge it into cold water, and when the 

 phosphorus has become solid, remove the cork % and push the phos- 

 phorus from the mould with a piece of wood. Thus prepared, it 

 must be preserved in close vessels, containing pure water. When 

 phosphorus is perfectly pure, it is semi-trans; arent, and has the 

 consistence of wax. It is so soft, that it may be cut with a knife. 

 Its specific gravity is from 1.77 to 2.03. It has an acrid and dis. 

 agreeable taste, and a peculiar smell, somewhat resembling garlic. 

 When a stick of phosphorus is broken, it exhibits some appear, 

 ance of crystallization. The crystals are needle shaped, or long 

 octahedrons; but to obtain them in their most perfect state, the 

 surface of the phosphorus, just when it becomes solid, should be 

 pierced, that the internal liquid phosphorus may flow out, and 

 leave a cavity for their formation. When phosphorus is exposed to 

 the light it becomes of a reddish colour, which appears to be an inci. 

 pient combustion. It is therefore necessary to preserve it in a dark 

 place. At the temperature of 99 it becomes liquid, and if air be 

 entirely excluded, evaporates at 219, and boils at 654. At the 

 temperature of 43 or 44, it gives out a white smoke, and is lumi- 

 nous in the dark. This is a slow combustion of the phosphorus, 

 which becomes more rapid as the temperature is raised. When 

 phosphorus is heated to the temperature of 148" it takes fire, burn* 

 with a bright flame, and gives out a great quantity of white smoke. 

 Phosphorus enters into a combination with oxygen, azote, hydro. 

 and carbon. Phosphorus is soluble in oils, and when thus 

 Ived forms what has been called liquid phosphorus, which maj 

 be rubbed on the face aud bands without injury. It dissolves too 



