453 
of carbon and hydrogen, 
effervesces, and a considerable quantity of the gas is liberated. 
The alcoholic solution has a peculiar taste, and is neutral 
to test papers. 
Ohve oil dissolves about six volumes of the gas. 
Solution of alkali does not affect it ; nor does muriatic acid. 
Sulphuric acid condenses the gas in very large quantity ; 
1 volume of the acid condensing above loo volumes of the 
vapour. Sometimes the condensation is perfect, 'at other 
times a small quantity of residual gas is left, which burns 
with a pale blue flame, and seems to be a product of too 
rapid action. Great heat is produced during the action ; no 
sulphurous acid is formed ; the acid is much blackened, has 
a peculiar odour, and upon dilution generally becomes 
turbid, but no gas is evolved. A permanent compound of 
the acid with carbon and hydrogen is produced, and enters 
as before mentioned into combination with bases. 
A mixture of 2 volumes of this vapour with 14 volumes of 
pure oxygen was made, and a portion detonated in an eudio- 
meter tube. 8.8 volumes of the mixture diminished by the 
spark to 5.7 volumes, and these by solution of potash to 1.4 
volumes, which were oxygen. Hence 7.4 volumes had been 
consumed, consisting of 
Vapour of substance - - 1.1 
Oxygen - - -5.3 
Carbonic acid formed - - 4.3 
Oxygen in carbonic acid - 4.3 
Oxygen combining with hydrogen 2.0 
Diminution by spark - - 3.1 
This is nearly as if 1 volume of the vapour or gas had 
required 6 volumes of oxygen, had consumed 4 of them in 
