210 PROOFS OF THE PROPERTIES OF NITROGEN GAS.

SECT. II.

EXPERIMENTAL PROOFS

OF

THE PROPERTIES OF NITROGEN GAS.

F. :pf.rimp.nt 1.

Nitrogen gas is not absorbable ly water.

Take a long glass tube divided into equal measures, whichare distinguished by marks made with a diamond or file; sendup into it any quantity of nitrogen gas ; on agitating it stronglyover water no absorption will take place, the volume of the airwill not be sensibly diminished.

Experiment II.

Nitrogen gas does not exhibit signs of acidity.

Fill a receiver with pure nitrogen gas, and introduce thereina piece of litmus paper, or a small quantity of tincture of redcabbage, no change of colour will be produced in either of them,the gas therefore cannot be acid.

Experiment III.

Nitrogen gas does not maintain combustion, and is fatal toanimal life.

This may be proved by plunging a lighted taper into a glassfilled with this gas, the taper will be immediately extinguished.