C 44*0 ] 
XX. On new compounds of carbon and hydrogen, and on certain 
other products obtained during the decomposition of oil by heat. 
Ey M. Faraday, F. R. S. Cor. Me?n. Royal Academy of 
Sciences of Paris, &c. 
Read June i 6 , 1825. 
The object of the paper which I have the honour of sub- 
mitting at this time to the attention of the Royal Society, is 
to describe particularly two new compounds of carbon and 
hydrogen, and generally, other products obtained during the 
decomposition of oil by heat. My attention was first called 
to the substances formed in oil at moderate and at high tem- 
peratures, in the year 1820 ; and since then I have endea- 
voured to lay hold of every opportunity for obtaining infor- 
mation on the subject. A particularly favourable one has 
been afforded me lately through the kindness of Mr. Gordon^ 
who has furnished me with considerable quantities of a fluid 
obtained during the compression of oil gas, of which I had 
some years since possessed small portions, sufficient to excite 
great interest, but not to satisfy it. 
It is now generally known, that in the operations of the 
Portable Gas Company, when the oil gas used is compressed 
in the vessels, a fluid is deposited, which may be drawn oft' 
and preserved in the liquid state. The pressure applied 
amounts to 30 atmospheres ; and in the operation, the gas 
previously contained in a gasometer over water, first passes 
into a large strong receiver, and from it, by pipes, into the 
