Classics of modern science : $b (Copernicus to Pasteur)
History
Classics of modern science : $b (Copernicus to Pasteur)
Science; Science -- History
14. Seventh Experiment.--(a.) I immersed the mouth of a flask in a
vessel with oil of turpentine. The oil rose in the flask a few lines
every day. After the lapse of 14 days the fourth part of the flask
was filled with it. I allowed it to stand for three weeks longer, but
the oil did not rise higher. All those oils which dry in the air, and
become converted into resinous substances, possess this property. Oil
of turpentine, however, and linseed oil rise up sooner if the flask is
previously rinsed out with a concentrated sharp ley. (b.) I poured two
ounces of colourless and transparent animal oil of Dippel into a bottle
and closed it very tightly; after the expiration of two months the oil
was thick and black. I then held the bottle, inverted, under water and
drew out the cork; the bottle immediately became one-fourth filled with
water.
15. Eighth Experiment.--(a.) I dissolved two ounces of vitriol of iron
in thirty-two ounces of water, and precipitated this solution with
a caustic ley. After the precipitate had settled, I poured away the
clear fluid and put the dark green precipitate of iron so obtained,
together with the remaining water, into the before-mentioned bottle (§
8), and closed it tightly. After 14 days (during which time I shook the
bottle frequently) this green calx of iron had acquired the colour of
crocus of iron, and of 40 parts of air 12 had been lost. (b.) When iron
filings are moistened with some water and preserved for a few weeks
in a well closed bottle, a portion of the air is likewise lost. (c.)
The solution of iron in vinegar has the same effect upon air. In this
case the vinegar permits the dissolved iron to fall out in the form of
a yellow crocus, and becomes completely deprived of this metal. (d.)
The solution of copper prepared in closed vessels with spirit of salt
likewise diminishes air. In none of the foregoing kinds of air can
either a candle burn or the smallest spark glow.
16. It is seen from these experiments that phlogiston, the simple
inflammable principle, is present in each of them. It is known that the
air strongly attracts to itself the inflammable part of substances and
deprives them of it: not only this may be seen from the experiments
cited, but it is at the same time evident that on the transference of
the inflammable substance to the air a considerable part of the air
is lost. But that inflammable substance alone is the cause of this
action, is plain from this, that, according to the tenth paragraph,
not the least trace of sulphur remains over, since, according to my
experiments this colourless ley contains only some vitriolated tartar.
The eleventh paragraph likewise shows this. But since sulphur alone,
and also the volatile spirit of sulphur, have no effect upon the air (§
11. c), it is clear that the decomposition of liver of sulphur takes
place according to the laws of double affinity--that is to say, that
the alkalies and lime attract the vitriolic acid, and the air attracts
the phlogiston.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account