m the Alcohol of Sulphur, or Sulphuret of Carbon. 177 



acids exert any sensible action upon this liquor, except the 

 nitro-muriatic acid, and oxy-muriatic gas in a humid state. If 

 a globule of the alcohol of sulphur be bfought into contact, 

 under water, with a globule of the oily fulminating compound, 

 lately described to this Society by Sir H. Davy, the two glo- 

 bules remain in contact, side by side, without mixing, and 

 without exerting any action upon each other ; but when stirred 

 together, they incorporate, forming a homogeneous amber- 

 coloured globule, which does not detonate, even when exposed 

 to ignition ; and if olive oil be brought into contact with the 

 two oils thus mixed, no detonation or other obvious effect 

 takes place, a remarkable circumstance, of which advantage 

 might be taken to attempt the analysis of the fulminating sub* 

 stance. The detonation of the fulminating compound with 

 phosphorus, is also prevented by the presence of alcohol of 

 sulphur ; but if the quantity of the detonating compound pre- 

 ponderates over that' of either the olive oil or phosphorus, the 

 mixture inflames, though without detonation.* 



§ 2^ Experiments to ascertain zchether Hydrogen be present in the 



Alcohol of Sulphur, 



1. We introduced into Volta's eudiometrical tube, over mer- 

 curyi some pure oxygen gas, with one drop of the oily liquor. 

 After letting these stand together for a few minutes, an elec- 

 tricjjl charge Was passed through the tube, which produced a 

 vivid explosion. The gas was first reduced to between one- 



* These experiments were tried in the presence of one of us, by Mr. Witsoti, 

 Assistant to the Chemical Lectures of Gur's Hospitals who*- conjointly with two 

 other gentlemen, t as lattly pubiUheJ in NicHt)i. sow's Journal, naany curious f^cts 

 on this extraordinary cempoundk 



