138 1. Remsen and M. & SouthworiJi— Action of Ozone, etc. 



a free atom of oxygen than ozone. If then we bring in con- 

 tact with ozone a'substance, which in turn is capable of taking 

 up an atom of oxygen without itself undergoing change; 

 which, indeed, possepses an attraction for oxygen, we are cer- 

 tainly justified in expecting to see the two substances act upon 

 each other. But the experiment gave the unexpected result 

 that ozone does not act upon carbon monoxide. 



Two very careful experiments were performed. Pure carbon 

 monoxide free of dioxide was first collected in a gasometer. 

 This was then conducted from one side through three cylinders 

 containing potassic hydroxide and lime-water into a flask. 

 From the other side a current of oxygen was conducted through 

 potassic hydroxide and lime-water, and then through a tube, in 

 which the oxygen was converted into ozone, into the same 

 flask. This flask was provided with a stopper having three 

 holes. From the third hole a tube led to a cylinder containing 

 lime-water; and this cylinder was connected with a final 

 cylinder containing potassic hydroxide. Let us see what pur- 

 poses the different parts of the somewhat complicated apparatus 

 served. In the first place, the carbon monoxide was caused to 

 pass through potassic hydroxide and lime-water in order to 

 absorb every trace of carbon dioxide which might be present. 

 The oxygen was treated similarly for a similar purpose. The 

 ozone generator employed was that described by Wright* for 

 use with the Holtz electrical machine, the best conditions being 

 retained throughout the experiment for the working of the 

 apparatus. The pure carbon monoxide and the ozonized oxy- 

 gen were then caused to meet in the final flask, the inside of 

 which was moist, as, for some unknown reason, ozone does not 

 exhibit its oxidizing properties as well when dry as when 

 moist The mixture of the two gases, and any carbon dioxide 

 which might have been formed, were then passed together into 

 lime-water, contained in a cylinder, the lime-water being pro- 

 tected from the influence of the carbon dioxide of the air by 

 the potassic hydroxide contained in the last cylinder. 



Slow currents of carbon monoxide and oxygen were now 

 passed through the apparatus, and, although the action was 

 continued for a long time, not a trace of a precipitate could be 

 detected in the last cylinder, containing lime-water. The 

 strength of the gas-currents was frequently changed, but noth- 

 ing brought about the expected result. 



In view of the importance of the experiment we were not 



* This Journal, vol. iv, July, 18t2. 



