1827.'] Fluidity of Sulphur at Common Temperatures. 213 



usual point of fluidity and that which could thus be obtained 

 is so great: it, in the present instance, amounts to 130, and 

 it might probably have been rendered greater if artificial cold 

 had been applied. 



On the Fluidity of Sulphur and Phosphorus at Common 



Temperatures *. 



I PUBLISHED some time ago a short account of an instance of 

 the existence of fluid sulphur at common temperaturesf ; 

 and though I thought the fact curious, I did not esteem it of 

 such importance as to put more than my initials to the account. 

 I have just learned, through the * Bulletin Universel' for Sep- 

 tember, p. 178, that Signor Bellani had observed the same 

 fact in 1813, and published it in the ' Giornale di FisicaJ,' 

 vol. vi. (old series). I also learn, by the same means, that 

 M. Bellani complains of the manner in which facts and theories, 

 which have been published by him, are afterwards given by 

 others as new discoveries ; and though I find myself classed 

 with Gay-Lussac, Sir H. Davy, Daniell, Bostock, c., in having 

 thus erred, I shall not rest satisfied without making restitution, 

 for M. Bellani in this instance certainly deserves it at my 

 hand. 



Not being able to obtain access to the original journal, I shall 

 quote M. Bellani's very curious experiments from the ' Bulletin,' 

 in which they appear to be fully described. " The property 

 which water possesses of retaining its fluid state, when in 

 tranquillity, at temperatures 10 or 15 below its freezing-point, 

 is well known ; phosphorus behaves in the same manner ; 

 sometimes its fluidity may be retained at 13 (Centigrade?) for 

 a minute, an hour, or even many days. What is singular is, 

 that, though water cooled below its freezing-point congeals 

 easily upon slight internal movement, however communicated, 

 phosphorus, on the contrary, sometimes retains its liquid state 

 at 3, even though it be shaken in a tube, or poured upon 

 cold water. But, as soon as it has acquired the lowest tempe- 

 rature which it can bear without solidifying, the moment it is 

 touched with a body at the same temperature, it solidifies so 



* Quarterly Journal of Science, xxiv. 469. t Ibid, xxi. 392 j or page 212. 

 J The Italian Journal has not yet arrived in this country. 



