176 
Notices. 
The French propose calling it iode gas (from the Greek word 
ion , violet) but Sir H. D. prefers the term violaceous gas, as most 
suitable to English phraseology; its combination with hydrogene he 
agrees may be called hydro-iodic gas, &c. Its properties are equally 
important to the scientific chemist and manufacturer as a dye and 
pigment. It is the heaviest known gas ; 100 cubic inches weigh- 
ing 95-5. grains — it is easily disengaged at the temperature of 
156 ; at a low one, it condenses into fine violet coloured chrystals ; 
it is rapidly absorbed by the metals, uniting with iron, mercury, 
tin, lead, and zinc, and changing them into salts of the most beau- 
tiful tints of yellow, orange and brown. It has many analogies 
with oxygen, the alkalies, and chlorine or oxy-muriatic acid. Like 
the alkalies it has great affinity to oxygen, from which it can be 
expelled by heat ; it experiences no change by the action of the 
voltaic pile, yet rapidly combines with phosphorus, hydrogen, 
and all the muriats ; it is anon-conductor, is very slightly combus- 
tible, yet it is a supporter of combustion. It is so easily united 
with all the common metals, and converts them into such fine pig- 
ments, that before as many months elapse in this country, after its 
discovery, as years have done in Paris, it will be prepared by all 
our colour manufacturers, and used by our cabinet makers, wood 
Stainers, and dyers. The existence of this substance tends to 
Support an opinion of Sir H. D. that acids and alkalies do not de- 
pend on any peculiar acidifying principle, but on certain modifica- 
tions of matter. All the iodats of iron zinc, are soluble in ether 
and spirits of wine, and many of them in water 
Alexander & Phillips , Printers , Carlisle. 
