1824.] On the Liquefaction of Gases. 133 



'Chemical Dictionary/ 8vo, articles GAS (muriatic acid oxy- 

 genized) and GAS (sulphurous acid) ; and that of chlorine is 

 referred to by Murray, in his * System,' ii. 550; although at 

 page 405 of the same volume, he says that only sulphurous 

 acid " and ammonia of these gases that are at natural tempe- 

 ratures permanently elastic, have been found capable of this 

 reduction." 



Carbonic Acid. Another experiment, in which it is very 

 probable that liquid carbonic acid has been produced, is one 

 made by Mr. Babbage about the year 1813. The object Mr, 

 Babbage had in view, was to ascertain whether pressure would 

 prevent decomposition ; and it was expected that either that 

 would be the case, or that decomposition would go on, and 

 the rock be split by the expansive force of carbonic acid gas. 

 The place was Chudley Rocks, Devonshire, where the limestone 

 is dark and of a compact texture. A hole, about 30 inches 

 deep and 2 inches in diameter, was made by the workmen 

 in the usual way; it penetrated directly downwards into the 

 rock ; a quantity of strong muriatic acid, equal to perhaps a 

 pint and a half, was then poured in, and immediately a conical 

 wooden plug, that had previously been soaked in tallow, was 

 driven hard into the mouth of the hole. The persons about 

 then retired to a distance to watch the result, but nothing 

 apparent happened, and, after waiting some time, they left the 

 place. The plug was not loosened at the time, nor was any 

 further examination of the state of things made ; but it is very 

 probable that if the rock were sufficiently compact in that part, 

 the plug tight, and the muriatic acid in sufficient quantity, that 

 a part of the carbonic acid had condensed into a liquid, and 

 thus, though it permitted the decomposition, prevented that 

 development of power which Mr. Babbage expected would 

 have torn the rock asunder. 



Oil-Gas Vapour. An attempt has been made by Mr. 

 Gordon, within the last few years, and is still continued, to 

 introduce condensed gas into use in the construction of por- 

 table, elegant, and economical gas-lamps. Oil-gas has been 

 made use of, and, I believe, as many as thirty atmospheres 

 have been thrown into vessels, which, furnished with a stop- 

 cock and jet, have afterwards allowed of its gradual expansion 

 and combustion. During the condensation of the gas in this 



