20 CHLORINE. 



Chlorine is a kind of gas. It is easily prepared by 

 mixing a little muriatic acid with some of the com- 

 mercial black oxide of manganese; a gentle heat being 

 then applied, chlorine is given off, and is conducted 

 into receivers in the manner before described under 

 oxygen and hydrogen, a. Water, when cold, absorbs it 

 largely, and therefore the water in the receptacle where 

 the gas is collected should be hot. b. It is, however, 

 so much heavier than common air, that it may be col- 

 lected in sufficient quantity by carrying the conducting 

 tube to the bottom of a jar or bottle. The top being 

 partially covered, so as to prevent too free access of 

 air and consequent agitation, the vessel can be filled 

 with chlorine as readily as with water, c. If the glass 

 is white, it will be perceived that the chlorine now 

 filling it is of a decided green color. 



d. The sense of smell should be tested cautiously in 

 this case, as the gas has a most suffocating and dis- 

 tressing effect when inhaled even in small quantity. 

 The consequences of a single breath of it taken by 

 mistake, are often felt for days in its irritating effect 

 upon the lungs and throat. The method of collection 

 last mentioned will show that it is heavier than 

 common air, but this may be farther illustrated by 

 pouring it from one glass into another. 



e. Phosphorus takes fire spontaneously in this gas, 

 and so do several of the metals when powdered, anti- 

 mony for instance. A taper plunged into it burns at 

 first with an enlarged red smoky flame, but soon goes 

 out. 



y*. Chlorine has a peculiar power of bleaching, and 

 is used very largely in the arts for such purposes. Al- 

 most any of the ordinary calicoes may be bleached by 

 placing them in water saturated with it. The color 

 of red cabbage liquor is very easily destroyed by a 

 very small quantity. 



g. It unites, with soda, one of the bodies already 



