The 16 measures remaining underwent no perceptible diminution with nitrous gas; the taper plunged into them was instantly extinguished. To ascertain if the phosphoric acid produced in the experiments made under mercury did not in some measure prevent the decomposition of the whole of the nitrous oxide by the phosphorus, I introduced into a mixture of 5 nitrogene and 1 nitrous oxide, ignited phosphorus: but it was immediately extinguished.[174] The Dutch Chemists found that phosphorus might be fused in nitrous oxide without being luminous. They assert that phosphorus in a state of inflammation, introduced into this gas, was immediately extinguished; though when taken out into the atmosphere, it again burnt of its own accord.[175] It is difficult to account for their mistake. [174] Phosphorus burnt feebly with a white flame in a mixture of 4 nitrogene and 1 nitrous oxide. [175] Journal de Physique, xliii. 328. V. _Decomposition of Nitrous Oxide by Phosphorated Hydrogene._ _a._ It has been mentioned in Res. II. Div. I. that phosphorated hydrogene and nitrous oxide posses no action on each other, at atmospheric temperatures. Phosphorated hydrogene mingled with nitrous oxide, is capable of being inflamed by the electric spark, or by ignition. _b. E._ 1. 10 grain measures of phosphorated hydrogene, carefully produced by means of phosphorus and solution of caustic alkali, were mingled with 52 measures of nitrous oxide. The electric spark passed through them, produced a vivid inflammation. The elastic products were clouded with dense white vapor, and after some minutes filled a space nearly equal to 60. On the introduction of water, no absorption took place. When 43 of nitrous gas were admitted, the whole diminished to 70. _E._ 2. 25 of nitrous oxide were fired with 10 of phosphorated hydrogene, by the electric spark. After detonation[176] they filled a space exactly equal to 25. On the admission of solution of green sulphate of iron, and prussiate of potash, no blue or green precipitate was produced. On the introduction of water, no diminution was perceived. 25 of nitrous gas mingled with them, gave exactly 50. [176] In this experiment, as in the last, dense white vapor was produced. _E._ 3. 10 of nitrous oxide, mingled with 20 of phosphorated hydrogene, could not be inflamed. 25 of nitrous oxide, with 20 phosphorated hydrogene, inflamed. The gas after detonation, was rendered opaque by dense white vapor, and filled a space nearly equal to 45. No absorption took place when water was introduced. On admitting a little oxygene no white fumes, or diminution, was perceived. The electric spark passed through the mixture, produced an explosion, with great diminution.