320 On the Properties of Ozone. 



distinct view to the improvement of knowledge, appeared to him, 

 at all times, an essential condition of success in all astronomical 



research. 



As a mathematician, Bessel takes, undoubtedly, a high rank ; 

 not, indeed, as an original inventor in the abstract walks of the 

 pure analysis, but always with a view to applications, in which, 

 whatever occasion required its exertion, his skill was never found 

 unequal to the task on hand, no matter what its difficulty. As a 

 practical astronomer, his knowledge of what may be called the 

 theory of instruments — the mode of detecting, compensating, and 

 eliminating their errors ; the influence of flexures of their limbs, 

 tubes, and other parts ; and his acquaintance with, and constant 

 practice of, every delicacy in their use, were such as has never 

 been surpassed. Equally great in perfecting old methods of ob- 

 servation and in suggesting new, the practice of the modern 

 German school of astronomers is almost emphatically Bessel s 

 practice ; and he was deservedly looked upon as a guide and 

 model, not only in Germany but by Europe. 



Bessel was, of course, elected into almost every academy in 

 Europe as an Associate. He became a Foreign Member of this 

 Society in 1822. As he advanced in years and in reputation, 

 distinctions of a different kind were conferred upon him ; among 

 others, the order of the Dannebrog by the King of Denmark, 

 and that of the Red Eagle, with the title of " Geheimer Regie- 

 rung's Rath, 75 and the order of Civil Merit by his own sovereign, 

 whose favor he constantly experienced, and whose attentions du- 

 ring his last illness were of the most benignant kind, and sooth- 

 ed, though they could not alleviate his sufferings. 



Art. XXIII. — On the Properties of Ozone ; by C P- 



ScHONBEIN. # 



By a number of experiments made by myself and repeated y 

 others, it has been demonstrated that ozone (which I take tor 

 peroxyd of hydrogen, and Berzelius for pure oxygen in a pecu i 

 ~^auz~-\ is the most powerful oxydizing agent we at P 16 ^ 



A most striking instance of its exalted chemical po 

 Let, that metallic silver being in a state of minute m - 



know of. 

 ers is the fact 



chanical division and put in contact with ozone, is readily ua^ 

 formed into the peroxyd of the metal even at very low temp^ ^ 



ascertain -^ which 1 



tares. 



am going to state, will give further proofs of that power. 



Prof. SilU 



* Communicated for this Journal, by Prof. Schonbein, in a letter to I • . . e 

 rnan, dated Bale, July 15, 1847, and received through Prof. Beck ot WW 



» 



Mass. 



