iSa Pfof. Berzelius and Dr. Marcet's Experiments 



contents upon the surface of the mercury, where the oily 

 liquor continued to burn until it was all consumed. Water 

 being then introduced, an absorption of gas took place, and 

 the water became sulphureous. The unabsorbed portion of 

 gas being introduced into lime water, rendered it turbid, and 

 formed a quantity of carbonate of lime, which was sufficient to 

 be carefully examined and accurately estimated. 



3. We caused some alcohol of sulphur to dissolve in barytic 

 water, in a well stoppered bottle. This solution proceeded 

 very slowly, and was only completed at the end of three 

 weeks. The barytic water had assumed a yellowish colour, 

 and had deposited a white precipitate, which being well washed, 

 and treated with liquid sulphureous acid, dissolved in it with 

 effervescence. It was therefore carbonate of barytes. 



4. A similar experiment being tried with lime water, an 

 analogous result was obtained. 



It follows from these experiments, that the alcohol of sulphur 

 contains carbon, and therefore that this body, the nature of 

 which has been the subject of so much doubt and speculation, 

 is a true Sulphuret of Carbon, a name by which, in compli- 

 ance to the received chemical nomenclature, we shall hence- 

 forth usually designate it in the course of this paper. 



§ IV. Experiments to determine the Proportions of Sulphur and 

 Carbon, in the Sulphuret of Carbon, 



In attempting to analyse, with accuracy, the sulphuret of 

 carbon, considerable difficulties occur from the great volatility 

 of that compound, and from the inconsiderable action which 

 most chemical agents exert upon it. 



1. We first tried to ascertain the proportion of its constitu- 



