Page:Experimental researches in chemistry and.djvu/171

156 The specific gravity of this substance is 0.821. It does not solidify at a temperature of 0° F. It is insoluble, or nearly so, in water; very soluble in alcohol, ether, and volatile and fixed oils. It is neutral to test colours. It is not more soluble in alkaline solutions than in water; and only a small portion is acted upon by them. Muriatic acid has no action upon it. Nitric acid gradually acts upon it, producing nitrous acid, nitric oxide gas, carbonic, and sometimes hydrocyanic acid, &c., but the action is not violent. Sulphuric acid acts upon it in a very remarkable and peculiar manner, which I shall have occasion to refer to more particularly presently.

This fluid is a mixture of various bodies; which, though they resemble each other in being highly combustible, and throwing off much smoke when burnt in large flame, may yet by their difference of volatility be separated in part from each other. Some of it drawn from the condenser, after the pressure had been repeatedly raised to 30 atmospheres, and at a time when it was at 28 atmospheres, then introduced rapidly into a stoppered bottle and closed up, was, when brought home, put into a flask and distilled, its temperature being raised by the hand. The vapour which came off; and which caused the appearance of boiling, was passed through a glass tube at 0°, and then conducted to the mercurial trough; but little uncondensed vapour came over, not more than thrice the bulk of the liquid; a portion of Huid collected in the cold tube, which boiled and evaporated when the temperature was allowed to rise; and the great bulk of the liquid which remained might now be raised to a comparatively high point, before it entered into ebullition.

A thermometer being introduced into another portion of the fluid, heat was applied, so as to keep the temperature just at the boiling-point. When the vessel containing it was opened, it began to boil at 60° F. As the more volatile portions were dissipated, the temperature rose: before a tenth part had been thrown off] the temperature was above 100°. The heat continued gradually to rise, and before the substance was all volatilized it had attained 250°.

With the hope of separating some distinct substances from this evident mixture, a quantity of it was distilled, and the vapours condensed at a temperature of 0° into separate