Oxi^enised Water. 369 



"b 



eight and a quarter miles in the short space of six minutes. 

 Only one or two descend at a time, but by means of signals 

 placed along the slide, another tree is launched as soon as its 

 predecessor has plunged into the lake. Sometimes the mov- 

 ing trees spring or bolt out of the trough, and when this hap- 

 pens they have been known to cut through trees in the 

 neighborhood as if it had been done by an axe. When the 

 trees reach the lake, they are formed into rafts, and floated 

 down the Reuf into the Rhine. 



The very singular phenomena described by Mr. Playfair's 

 paper, arise from the diminution of friction, in consequence 

 of an increase of velocity, and may be regarded as an ex- 

 perimental confirmation, on a large scale, of the ingenious 

 views of Coulomb who had the merit of discovering this 

 remarkable property of friction. — Ed. Phil. Journal. 



2. Oxifrenized Water. 



O 



Oxigenized water as prepared by Thenard is a real com- 

 bination of water with oxigen, and not a simple solution of 

 oxigen gas in water. It is not analagous to any compound 

 at present known in chemistry. Its density is 1.452 and 

 v/hen poured into common water it flows upon it like syrup. 



The phenomena presented by its contact with other sub- 

 stances differ entirely from those ordinarily observed. Thus 

 platina, gold, silver, and oxide of manganese decompose if 

 immediately ; separating the whole of the combined oxigen 

 gas, and without appropriating to themselves any part of it. 

 This cannot be explained by affinity, at least as the term has 

 generally been used. This is certainly one of the most re- 

 markable discoveries of modern times, and opens to chem- 

 ists a new career, which can hardly fail to extend their views 

 of chemical combinations. The oxigenized water has been 

 employed in restoring ancient pictures for designs, which 

 have been spoiled by the gradual combination of sulphur or 

 sulphuretted hydrogen with the white lead used by the 

 painters. It is only necessary to wash the dark spots with 

 water feebly oxigenated, i. e. with five or six times its vol- 

 ume of oxigen. The dark hue immediately disappears. 

 The sulphuret of lead is converted into sulphate, which is 

 white. 



Vol. Ill No. 2. 47 



