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II. The Bakerian Lecture. On the composition and analysis of the 
inflammable gaseous compounds resulting from the destructive 
distillation of coal and oil, with some remarks on their relative 
heating and illuminating powers. By William Thomas 
Brande, Esq. Sec. R. S. Prof. Chem. R. I. 
Read November 18, i8ig. 
The experiments detailed in the following pages, were 
originally undertaken with a view of ascertaining the relative 
fitness of the gases obtained by the decomposition of coal 
and oil for the purposes of illumination, and of elucidating 
some apparent anomalies in their economical applications. 
Merely as such, however, I should not have deemed them of 
sufficient novelty or importance to form the subject of the 
Bakerian Lecture ; but during the progress of the inquiry, 
some new views relative to the constitution of these gaseous 
mixtures, suggested themselves, and some properties of ter- 
restrial radiant matter became apparent, which I trust will 
be thought worthy the attention of this Society, 
SECTION I. 
On the inflammable gases afforded by the destructive distillation 
of pit coal and of oil. 
The gases used in the following experiments, except where 
it is otherwise expressly stated, were those employed for the 
