20 
Mr. Brande on the composition and analysis 
sition of this gas, considered as a mixture of hydrogen and 
olefiant, from its specific gravity, we should conclude that it 
is composed of 1 volume of hydrogen and 3 of olefiant, upon 
the presumption that 100 cubical inches of hydrogen weigh 
2,25 grains, and 100 of olefiant 30,15. 
Such a mixture, when submitted to the action of heat, of 
sulphur, and of chlorine, and when detonated with oxygen, 
afforded results similar to those obtained by experiments upon 
the original oil gas, and it burned with the same degree of 
brilliancy. 
9. I have also submitted to similar experiments the in- 
flammable gases obtained by the decomposition of acetate of 
potash, of alcohol, and ether, and by passing water over red 
hot charcoal. All these contain a considerable portion of 
carbonic acid, which, when abstracted by potassa, leaves a 
mixture of carburetted hydrogen, hydrogen, and carbonic 
oxide, in proportions liable to much variation, according 
to the materials employed, and to the circumstances under 
which their decomposition has been effected. The specific 
gravity of these products is of course liable to corresponding 
variations. 
10. The inference which, I think, maybe drawn from the 
preceding experiments and observations, is, that there exists 
no definite compound of carbon and hydrogen, except that 
usually called olefiant gas ; that the various inflammable 
compounds employed for the purpose of illumination, and 
produced by the destructive distillation of coal, oil, &c. con- 
sist essentially of a mixture of olefiant gas and hydrogen ; 
that the gas procured from acetate of potash and from moist 
charcoal contains the same elements, with carbonic oxide and 
