514 ON O-LEFIANT GAS. 



This is a clear proof that the gas contains no 

 oxygen. The carbon and hydrogen which we 

 have found it to contain, constitute the whole of 

 its weight. The small excess would nearly va- 

 nish, if we were to suppose the specific gravity of 

 the gas to be 0.600, as Dalton found it. It is ob- 

 viously owing to errors in the analysis, which are 

 unavoidable when minute quantities of gaseous 

 bodies are measured. 



10. We may conclude, then, that the gas from 

 stagnant water is entitled to the name of Garbtt- 

 reted Hydrogen, and that it is a compound of very 

 nearly, carbon, 72 



hydrogen, 28 



100 



Mr Dalton considers it as composed of an atom 

 of carbon, and two atoms of hydrogen ; and this 

 very nearly agrees with the above analysis, if we 

 suppose an atom of carbon to weigh 4.5, and an 

 atom of hydrogen to weigh 1 * ? for 72 is to 28 very 

 nearly as 4.5 to 2. 



There is another gas which is at present con- 

 sidered as composed of carbon and hydrogen. It 

 was discovered by the associated Dutch chemists, 

 and called by them Olefiant Gas, in consequence 

 of the oily- looking substance into which it is con- 

 verted, when mixed with oxymuriatic acid gas. 

 The experiments of Cruickshanks, Henry, Dalton, 

 and Beithollet, all coincide to shew, that its only: 



