carbonated hydrogenous Gas. 407 
Experiment 5. Three hundred and fifteen measures of car- 
bonated hydrogen yielded 359 measures of carbonic acid, and 
18,5 measures of azote. 
Experiment 6 . The same quantity, after expansion to 
600, afforded the same products of carbonic acid and azotic 
gases. 
Experiments 7 and 8. As much carbonic acid was obtained 
by the combustion of 408 measures of carbonated hydrogenous 
gas, expanded from 200, as from 200 measures of the non-elec- 
tric fired gas ; and the residues of azotic gas were the same in 
both cases. 
It is unnecessary to state the particulars of several other ex- 
periments, similar to those above related, which were attended 
with the same results. They sufficiently prove that the action of 
the electric spark, when passed through carbonated hydrogenous 
gas, is not exerted in the decomposition of carbon; for the same 
quantity of this substance is found after as before electrization. 
Even granting that charcoal is' a compound, the constituents of 
which are held together by a very forcible affinity, it does not 
appear likely that the agency of the electric shock, which seems, 
in this instance, analogous to that of caloric, should effect its de- 
composition under the circumstances of these experiments. For 
it is a known property of charcoal to decompose water, when 
aided by a high temperature ; and its union with oxygen is a 
much more probable event, when this body is present, than a 
separation into its constituent principles. As an argument, also, 
that water is the source of the light inflammable air in this 
process, it may be observed, that the dilatation in Dr. Austin's 
experiments could never be carried much farther than twice the 
