164 On some new Products [1825. 



When cooled to it condensed again ; and enclosed in this 

 state in a tube of known capacity, and hermetically sealed up, 

 the bulk of a given weight of the substance at common tem- 

 peratures was ascertained. This compared with water gave 

 the specific gravity of the liquid as 0'627 at 54. It is there- 

 fore among solids' or liquids the lightest body known. 



This gas or vapour when agitated with water is absorbed in 

 small quantities. Alcohol dissolves it in large quantity ; and 

 a solution is obtained, which, upon the addition of water, 

 effervesces, and a considerable quantity of the gas is liberated. 

 The alcoholic solution has a peculiar taste, and is neutral to 

 test papers. 



Olive oil dissolves about six volumes of the gas. 



Solution of alkali does not affect it ; nor does muriatic acid. 



Sulphuric acid condenses the gas in very large quantity, 

 one volume of the acid condensing above 100 volumes of the 

 vapour. Sometimes the condensation is perfect ; at other times 

 a small quantity of residual gas is left, which burns with a pale 

 blue flame, and seems to be a product of too rapid action. 

 Great heat is produced during the action ; no sulphurous acid 

 is formed ; the acid is much blackened, has a peculiar odour, 

 and upon dilution generally becomes turbid, but no gas is 

 evolved. A permanent compound of the acid with carbon and 

 hydrogen is produced, and enters as before mentioned into 

 combination with bases. 



A mixture of two volumes of this vapour with fourteen 

 volumes of pure oxygen was made, and a portion detonated in 

 a eudiometer tube. 8'8 volumes of the mixture diminished 

 by the spark to 5*7 volumes, and these by solution of potash 

 to 1*4 volume, which were oxygen. Hence 7'4 volumes had 

 been consumed, consisting of 



Vapour of substance .... . . 1*1 



Oxygen 6'3 



Carbonic acid formed 4-3 



Oxygen in carbonic acid ..... 4*3 



Oxygen combining with hydrogen . . 2'0 



Diminution by spark , ..... 3*1 



This is nearly as if one volume of the vapour or gas had 



