256

PROPERTIES OF GAZEOUS OXID OF CARBON,

SECT.

PROPERTIES

OF

GAZEOUS OXID OF CARBON'.

GaZEOUS oxid of carbon is considerably lighter than any ofthe hidro-carbonates. It is lighter than common air in the pro-portion of 22 to 23. When mingled with common air and ignit-ed it does not explode, but burns with a lambent blue flame,and the product is carbonic acid. It is very little absorbable bywater; it is void of taste and odour. A mixture of 20 parts ofgazeous oxid of carbon and 8 of oxigen gas, fired over mercuryby electricity, diminishes to a volume equal to about 18 or 1C)parts, which is carbonic acid gas. It contains neither water northe basis of that fluid. It is exceedingly noxious, animals die init instantly; when breathed for a few minutes only, it producesgiddiness and fainting. Neither light, heat, nor electricity haveany effect upon it. When equal quantities of gazeous oxid ofcarbon and hidrogen gas are passed through a red-hot glass tube,the tube is lined with charcoal, water is formed, and an excessof hidrogen makes its escape. If a piece of iron be put into thetube, it is oxidated, but not converted into steel. Neither ni-trogen gas nor sulphur have any action on it even at high tem-peratures. It is capable of dissolving a minute quantity of char-coal and increases in bulk. It dissolves phosphorus and acquiresthe property of burning with a yellow flame. The alcalieshave no effect on this gas. It is not altered when passed with