156 On new Compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen, ftc. [1825. 



The specific gravity of this substance is 0*821. It does not 

 solidify at a temperature of F. It is insoluble, or nearly so, 

 in water ; very soluble in alcohol, ether, and volatile and fixed 

 oils. It is neutral to test colours. It is not more soluble in 

 alkaline solutions than in water ; and only a small portion is 

 acted upon by them. Muriatic acid has no action upon it. 

 Nitric acid gradually acts upon it, producing nitrous acid, 

 nitric oxide gas, carbonic, and sometimes hydrocyanic acid, &c., 

 but the action is not violent. Sulphuric acid acts upon it in a 

 very remarkable and peculiar manner, which I shall have occa- 

 sion to refer to more particularly presently. 



This fluid is a mixture of various bodies ; which, though 

 they resemble each other in being highly combustible, and 

 throwing off much smoke when burnt in large flame, may yet 

 by their difference of volatility be separated in part from each 

 other. Some of it drawn from the condenser, after the press- 

 ure had been repeatedly raised to 30 atmospheres, and at 

 a time when it was at 28 atmospheres, then introduced rapidly 

 into a stoppered bottle and closed up, was, when brought home, 

 put into a flask and distilled, its temperature being raised by 

 the hand. The vapour which came off, and which caused the 

 appearance of boiling, was passed through a glass tube at 0, 

 and then conducted to the mercurial trough ; but little uncon- 

 densed vapour came over, not more than thrice the bulk of the 

 liquid; a portion of fluid collected in the cold tube, which 

 boiled and evaporated when the temperature was allowed to 

 rise ; and the great bulk of the liquid which remained might 

 now be raised to a comparatively high point, before it entered 

 into ebullition. 



A thermometer being introduced into another portion of 

 the fluid, heat was applied, so as to keep the temperature just 

 at the boiling-point. When the vessel containing it was opened, 

 it began to boil at 60 F. As the more volatile portions were 

 dissipated, the temperature rose : before a tenth part had been 

 thrown off, the temperature was above 100. The heat con- 

 tinued gradually to rise, and before the substance was all 

 volatilized it had attained 250. 



With the hope of separating some distinct substances from 

 this evident mixture, a quantity of it was distilled, and the 

 vapours condensed at a temperature of into [separate por- 



