Scientific Intelligence* 211 



submitted in the hope of being, in some small degree, useful — or par- 

 doned if superfluous. 



" The conclusions I formed on this subject were, that in this instance a luminous 

 appearance in the ocean was produced by marine ovula ; and by a rule of philoso- 

 phising, all such appearances not proved to proceed from another source, and not in- 

 consistant with this cause, are fairly assignable to the same origin. — Watervliet Ar- 

 senal.'" 



25. Oxy-chlorine blowpipe. — Extract of a letter from Prof. Lewis 

 C. Beck to the Editor, dated Albany, March 31, 1827.*— Prof. J. 

 Henry and myself, have recently performed an experiment which I 

 have not heretofore seen noticed. The extraordinary effects pro- 

 duced by the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, suggested to us the idea of 

 uniting a stream of chlorine and hydrogen in the same manner. We 

 were aware that the degree of heat in the latter case would not be 

 so great as in the former, there not being that great difference in the 

 capacity for heat of the resulting compound. But it was thought 

 the formation of an acid instead of water, might lead to useful re- 

 sults, not to be expected from the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe. 



For the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of these views, the 

 reservoirs used in the construction of the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe 

 were filled, one with chlorine and the other with hydrogen. These 

 reservoirs were connected with leaden tubes ; the latter again with 

 smaller ones of brass, and the streams of the two gases united in a 

 small plate of platinum, at about one sixteenth of an inch from the 

 extremity. As a preventative against accident, the tubes were filled 

 at different parts with matted iron wire. 



In conducting the experiments with the chloro-hydrogen blowpipe, 

 the hydrogen was first fired, and then the stream of chlorine brought 

 in contact with it. The united flame was of a bluish white color, 

 and was attended with the peculiar hissing noise of the oxy-hydrogen 

 blowpipe. A strong smell of muriatic acid is produced, which ren- 

 ders the use of this instrument somewhat unpleasant in a confined 

 situation ; but common ingenuity will suggest an apparatus for avoid- 

 ing this inconvenience. 



No very striking results were produced by this instrument, as our 

 stock of chlorine was soon exhausted. We however ascertained its 

 heating power to be very considerable, although far inferior to that of 

 the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe. We intend shortly to repeat the experi- 

 ment, with a view of ascertaining its exact measure, and also of deter- 

 mining whether the instrument can be applied to any useful purpose, 



* The publication of this notice has been thus long delayed in expectation of an 

 additional communication on the subject. We are not aware that this curious ex- 

 periment has been elsewhere made. — Ed, 



