As an illustration of the different specific weights of the gases, a small balloon, containing a mixture of hydrogen and air, may be so adjusted that it will just sink in a tall glass shade inverted and supported on a pad made of a piece of oilcloth shaped round and bound with list. On passing in quickly a large quantity of carbonic acid, the little balloon will float on its surface; and if another balloon, containing only hydrogen, is held in the top part of the open shade, and a sheet of glass carefully slid over the open end, the density of the gases (although they are perfectly invisible) is perfectly indicated; and, as a climax to the experiment, a third balloon can be filled with laughing gas, and may be placed in the glass shade, taking care that the one full of pure hydrogen does not escape; the last balloon will sink to the bottom of the [Page 57] jar, because laughing gas is almost as heavy as carbonic acid, and the weight of the balloon will determine its descent. (Fig. 72.) [Illustration: Fig. 72. Inverted large glass shade, containing half carbonic acid and half common air.] [Illustration: Fig. 73. A. Inverted glass shade, containing the material, B, for generating carbonic acid gas. C. The soap-bubble. D D. The glass tube for blowing the bubbles. E. Small lantern, to throw a bright beam of light from the oxy-hydrogen jet upon the thin soap-bubble, which then displays the most beautiful iridescent colours.] A soap-bubble will rest most perfectly on a surface of carbonic acid gas, and the aerial and elastic cushion supports the bubble till it bursts. The experiment is best performed by taking a glass shade twelve inches broad and deep in proportion, and resting it on a pad; half a pound of sesquicarbonate of soda is then placed in the vessel, and upon this is poured a mixture of half a pint of oil of vitriol and half a pint of water, the latter being previously mixed and allowed to cool before use. An enormous quantity of carbonic acid gas is suddenly generated, and rising to the edge, overflows at the top of the glass shade. A well-formed soap-bubble, detached neatly from the end of a glass-tube, oscillates gently on the surface of the heavy gas, and presents a most curious and pleasing appearance. The soapy water is prepared by cutting a few pieces of yellow soap, and placing them in a two-ounce bottle containing distilled water. (Fig. 73.) The specific gravity of the gases, may therefore be either greater, or less than atmospheric air, [Page 58] which has been already mentioned as the standard of comparison, and examined by this test the vapours of some of the compounds of carbon and hydrogen are found to possess a remarkably high gravity; in proof of which, the vapour of ether may be adduced as an example, although it does not consist only of the two elements mentioned, but contains a certain quantity of oxygen. In a cylindrical tin vessel, two feet high and one foot in diameter, place an ordinary