Exp. 11. Upon the compression of nearly two pints of oxigenated muriatic acid gas in a receiver two and a quarter cubic inches capacity, it speedily became converted into a yellow fluid, of such extreme volatility under the common pressure of the atmosphere, that it instantly evaporates upon opening the screw of the receiver. I need not add, that this fluid, so highly concentrated, is of a most insupportable pungency. When atmospheric air was pumped into the empty receiver, it was speedily filled with dense white fumes. There was a trifling residue of a yellowish substance left after the evaporation, which probably arose from a small portion of the oil and grease used in the machine, mixed with some of the concentrated gas; it yielded to sulphuric ether, and destroyed vegetable colours.
This gas is very injurious to the machine, and on that account difficult to work.
Exp. 12. Upon half a pint of oxigen was injected one pint of oxigenated muriatic acid gas. The result was a thicker substance, which did not so soon evaporate, and a yellowish mass was left behind.
Exp. 13. Upon half a pint of nitrogen was injected one pint of oxy-muriatic gas. The result was a still thicker substance, and the yellow colour deeper, nor did it appear to act so powerfully upon vegetable colours. Much of the grease of the machine was carried down in both these last experiments, which formed part of the yellow residue, and yielded only to ether.
Exp. 14. Having condensed about a pint of carbonic acid, the receiver very unexpectedly burst with violence. This circumstance I attribute to the vicinity of the furnace, and I mention it to guard others against standing too near a fire in these experiments; nor perhaps may it be useless to add another precaution, that of using
