for decomposing the Muriatic Acid. 203 



a mixture of oxygenous and hydrogenous gases ; for, when an 

 electrical spark is passed through the gas that remains after 

 the absorption of the carbonic acid by caustic alkali, it imme- 

 diately explodes. These results even take place on electrifying 

 carbonic acid from marble, previously calcined in a low red 

 heat, to expel its water, and then distilled in an earthen retort.* 



* Messieurs Lan driani and Van Marum (Annates de Cbimie, Tom. II. p. 270.) 

 obtained only hydrogenous gas, by electrifying the carbonic acid gas. But the con- 

 ductor of their apparatus was an iron one ; which metal would combine with the 

 oxygen of the water, and prevent it from appearing in a gaseous state. In my experi- 

 ments, the conductors were of platina. 



Dd 2 



