OEGAOTC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING BOEON. 
177 
It now only remained to disengage the gaseous boron compound from its combination 
with ammonia. For this purpose the ammonia-flask was fitted with a funnel-tube 
terminating beneath the surface of the liquid, and a gas-delivery tube, the latter lead- 
ing to a Liebig’s potash apparatus charged with concentrated sulphuric acid ; Anally, the 
opposite extremity of the latter apparatus was connected with a mercurial gas-holder. 
To prevent dangerous explosions, on the elimination of the spontaneously inflammable 
gas from its ammonia compound, the whole of the air-spaces of the apparatus were 
filled with nitrogen. Everything being thus prepared, dilute sulphuric acid was gra- 
dually poured iuto the ammonia-flask through the funnel-tube, the contents of the flask 
being frequently agitated. No gas was erolved until the excess of ammonia was satu- 
rated ; then, however, it was given ofi" abundantly, and the addition of a few drops of 
sulphuric acid, from time to time, through the funnel-tube served to keep up a con- 
venient current. The gas was allowed to pass freely through the depressed mercurial 
gas-holder until a sample of it proved, by its perfect solution in ammonia, that all nitrogen 
had been swept from the apparatus. The exit-tube of the gas-holder was now closed, 
and the gas collected in sufficient quantity for subsequent experiments. 
The following determinations, together with the analysis of its ammonia compound, 
prove that this gas is done methide, and that its formula is 
rc2H3 
b]c2H3 
IC2H3. 
I. An indefinite quantity of the gas was cautiously led over ignited oxide of copper, 
the carbonic acid and water produced being collected and weighed in the ordinary 
manner. 0‘5875 grm. of carbonic acid and 0'3664 grm. of water were obtained. These 
numbers show that the atomic relation of carbon to hydrogen is as 2 ; 3. 
C: H=2: 3-04. 
II. A determination of the specific gravity of the gas gave the following results : — 
Temperature of room at the moment of closing the flask . 12°'2 C. 
Height of barometer 759'4 millims. 
Height of column of mercury in neck of flask above outer 
level of metal 4'5 millims. 
Weight of flask and gas 28‘7500 grms. 
Temperature in balance-case 16°T C. 
Weight of flask filled with dry air* 28'5882 grms. 
Temperature in balance-case 15°’0 C. 
Capacity of flask 141*7 cub. centims. 
* The gas in the flask was replaced with dry air, by plunging the flask into a large beaker filled with 
carbonic acid, and then directing a rapid stream of the dry acid gas into the flask, so as to remove the 
spontaneously inflammable gas, which, rushing out of the neck of the flask with considerable velocity, 
reached the surface of the carbonic acid, and there formed beautiful wreaths of green flame. The flask was 
now several times exhausted and fiUed with dry air. 
MDCCCLXII. 2 A 
