Remarks on the Preparation of Carhonic Oxide. 129 



Then, x=—^—-^ — .* Or, 



From the sum of ihe squares of AB and GC, deduct the square of 

 AD or BG : divide the remainder by twice BC. 



Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 6, 1834. 



Art. XII. — Remarks on Professor MiichelVs method of preparing 

 Carbonic Oxide, free from carhonic acid ; by L. D. Gale, M. D. 

 Acting Professor of Chemistry in the University of the City of New 

 York, and Prof. Chem. in the New York College of Pharmacy. 



Having received No. 2 of Vol. XXV of this Journal, containing 

 Prof. Mitchell's paper on a new process for preparing carbonic oxide, 

 about the time I was to lecture on that subject before my class in the 

 College of Pharmacy, I adopted Prof. M.'s plan and followed his 

 directions as nearly as possible, but much to my discomfiture found 

 the gas obtained was perfectly incombustible : but I should here state, 

 that it was used immediately after preparation. As gases will some- 

 times burn from a large orifice, when they will not from a smaller one, 

 I varied the size of the aperture, but all to no purpose. I then col- 

 lected more gas, with "heat duly moderated," and preserved only 

 the first and last portions, but did not succeed in causing it to burn 

 from an orifice. I then threw up, by means of a syringe, some caus- 

 tic potash into the receiver containing the gas ; a rapid absorption 

 took place, amounting to nearly half the original quantity, and the 

 remainder was sufficiently pure carbonic oxide. I also ascertained, 

 that if the gas, when procured, be allowed to stand over cold water, 

 and especially in broad and shallow receivers, for two or three hours, 

 so much of the carbonic acid is absorbed that the remaining gas will 

 burn with its ordinary appearance. The same remark will apply to 

 carbonic oxide, prepared by any of the ordinary methods described 

 in the books. Indeed, I am constantly in the habit of preparing the 

 gas in the morning, when it is to be used in the afternoon, and thus 

 avoid the occasion of using any alkali. 



Although from the above experiments I was quite satisfied that 

 carbonic acid is always produced in the above mentioned experiments, 

 yet, that I might be able to speak with perfect confidence, I was in- 



* I am indebted to my brother, J. A. L. for the algebraic solution. 



Vol. XXVII.— No. 1. 17 



