252 Mr. J. D. Smith's Observations on the supposed 



To satisfy myself respecting the correctness of Mr. Rigg's 

 statement that the quantity of inorganic matter in a liquid is 

 increased from fifteen to nineteen times xdien carbonic acid, is 

 present, I dissolved 1500 grs. of the best refined sugar in 

 \^ pint of distilled water, and added 200 grains of risen beer 

 yeast, then thoroughly mixed them by agitation. This solu- 

 tion was passed through fine cambric to separate any inso- 

 luble impurities which the solution contained, and divided 

 into three exactly equal portions. Of tliese, two portions 

 were respectively placed in German glass jars, and imme- 

 diately covered with unglazed paper covers; the paper was 

 of a close texture, and was carefully gummed down round 

 the exterior of the jars, to prevent any inorganic matter, as 

 dust, &c. getting into the solutions. These jars were placed 

 in a warm situation in the laboratory, the temperature varying 

 from 60° to 70° Fahrenheit, and the fermentation allowed to 

 proceed. The third portion was then put into a flask and boil- 

 ed, occasionally adding pure nitric acid ; this acid left no stain 

 when a portion was evaporated to dryness in a porcelain cap- 

 sule ; the flask was kept in an oblique position, to prevent any of 

 the liquid being ejected by the action of the nitric acid. During 

 the ebullition of the liquid, nitrous acid fumes were slowly 

 formed and the solution assumed a primrose yellow colour; 

 numerous spherules of liquid were formed, apparently on the 

 surface of the boiling fluid, and coursed about hither and 

 thither with great velocity, the larger spherules seemingly at- 

 tracting the smaller; and when by this union the globule had 

 attained about the size of a coriander seed, it disappeared, 

 being again united to the bulk of the boiling solution. I ima- 

 gine that this singular and interesting phsenomenon is owing 

 to small portions of the liquid being ejected from its bulk, by 

 the rapid action of the nitric acid on the organic matter in 

 the liquid ; and that these particles on again approaching the 

 surface of the fluid, there meet with a stratum of nitric oxide 

 gas or a mixture of this gas and steam, which prevents their 

 contact with the subjacent liquid, and upon which stratum of 

 vapour they float, until by the increase of size, and conse- 

 quently of weight, the buoyant power of this stratum of gas 

 or vapour is insufficient to prevent their coming into contact 

 with the mass of the liquid, and that they then reunite with it, 

 disappearing instantaneously. 



Oxalic acid was formed, and then decomposed by the con- 

 tinued action of the nitric acid ; and the residue of the liquid, 

 after evaporation to dryness in a platinum crucible, weighing 

 630'4< grains, was ignited to redness in a gas furnace, with 

 the occasional addition of a few drops of nitric acid ; an ash 



