INFLAMMABLE GAS. 245 



tion of bulk, whatever it may be, is noted down, and muif i- Experiments 

 plied by 0.36842: t'le product is equal to the measures of j^^onson theln- 

 oxygen present in the inflammable gas. This quantify being ft-mmablc gas 

 multiplied b) 5, gives the bulk of common air mixed with the ^®*" ^^"' 

 gas very nearly. 



By this process, I ascertained Iiat the gas procured by the 

 first distillation of peat, upon which the greater number of 

 experiments were made, was a mixture of 



Inflammable gas .... 88 



Common air 12 



100 

 or it contained 12 per cent, of common air. 



1. This gas had a peculiar empyreumatic smell, similar to 

 that obtained from pit-coal and from vegetable substances in 

 general by distillation. It was not deprived of this smell by 

 agitation in pure water or lime-water. But after washing the 

 gas in liquid oxymuriatic acid, I could no longer perceive it. 

 This smell is usually ascribed by chemists to a small quantity 

 of empyreumatic oil held insolation by the gas; an opinion 

 not yet verified by any direct experiment. 



2. It is not sensibly diminished by standing over water ; 

 Qxyinuriatic acid gas does not immediately produce any charge 

 on its bulk; a proof that it contains no sensible quantity of 

 olefiant gas. 



3. It is extremely deleterious to animals when drawn into 

 the lungs. Some years ago, wanting to empty a large air- 

 holder filled wifh gas evolved during the distillation of wood 

 (which is probably similar to the ga* from peat), I inadver- 

 tently applied my mouth to the pipe, to draw out the gas with 

 more rapidity. The consequence was, that after about two 

 inspirations, I dropt down on the floor insensible, and my ser- 

 vant, who supposed me dead, ran out in a fright for assistance, 

 and had returned again before I recovered. On coming to 

 myself, I recollected applying my mouth to the stop-cock, but 

 was conscious of no uneasy sensation whatever previous to 

 fainting. The recovery, however, was attended with very un- 

 pleasant sensations, which continued in some measure durmg 

 the rest of the day. 



4. Its specific gravity was 0.8358, that of common air being 

 reckoned 1 .000. To see whether the gas altered its nature 



X S by 



