The negative result obtained in the preceding investigation, naturally called in question the accuracy of Baumann’s statements in regard to the formation of active oxygen by the slow oxidation of phosphorus, and of palladium hydrogen in the presence of oxygen and water. The two experiments upon which he had based his conclusion have been described on pages 16 and 18. The first of these was that palladium hydrogen in the presence of oxygen and water effected the oxidation of carbon monoxide, the second, that when carbon monoxide was brought in contact with moist phosphorus and air oxidation was observed. In regard to the first of these experiments Traube[20] has carefully investigated what takes place when palladium hydrogen is allowed to remain in contact with water and oxygen. Hoppe-Seyler had noticed that under these conditions small quantities of hydrogen dioxide were formed, but he attributed this to the union of the active oxygen with the water. Traube, on the other hand, finds that in the formation of hydrogen dioxide under these circumstances there is nothing formed which has oxidizing properties, not even indigo sulphuric acid is oxidized. He shows by direct experiments that nascent hydrogen can not by its action on oxygen produce active oxygen or ozone. He finds the action of palladium hydrogen to be analogous to that of zinc and other metals, which when allowed to oxidize slowly in contact with air and water give rise to the formation of hydrogen dioxide. The process is to be regarded rather as a reduction of molecules of oxygen than as an oxidation of water. Traube represents the action by the following equations:-- +--------------------+--------+ OH | OH|H O| / | Zn | | = Zn + H_{2}O_{2} | Zn + OH|H + O| \ +--------------------+--------+ OH +--------------------+----------+ | Pd_{2}H OH|H | | + | + O_{2} | = 4 Pd + 2 H_{2}O + H_{2}O_{2} | Pd_{2}H OH|H | +--------------------+----------+