Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-04-03


Vrry IyrrRrsTIxG ExpERIMryT-We are indebted
TO an obl;gng friend for account Of an exhibition by
Dr. K. Mitchell 1t is always gratifying 10 us TO be
able to present such evidences Of the extent OF scen.
tic research in citizens and it is matter for general
frciaon that Philadep hn not only furnishes the pro.
fessor exhibit the experiments, but the society 10 ap-
preciac and applaud his success
For tie United States Gazette.
At the monthly conversation meeting of the franklin
Institute, last Thursday evening, the members OF the
institution were grated by very novel and interest
ing exhibition. The Professor Of Chemistry, Mr. Mitch
ell produced and explained the construction OF the
apparatus Of Thillorier for lquefying and soldIyng
carbOnc acid gas. An iron generator, capable oil hold
ing five Pints having massive walls, an inch aud
half thick. was connected by brass pipe, with an
iron receiver of equal strength OF which the capacity
was one pint. Two pounds OF bicaFbOnae 0i soda,
mixed with about pound aud halt OF waller, were
placed in The generator. and the c4'sed end OF b'ad
der was introduced through aperture at the top
The bladder then filled, by pouring in through
its open extremity, pound and quarter OF suIrhurc
acid. Instantly letting the retained end Ut the
charged bladder fail INFO tie generator long was
applied the iron aperture and firmly fastened, before
there could be perceived any etterveScence Alter the
lapse Of about 10 minutes, intervening soPcock was
opened, 10 connect the generator aud receiver;
and at the end Of about half hour more, the que.
fled acid allowed TO escape from the receiver into
Il circular brass box, from which communication
by numerous small oritices was had with The al.
box was taken off, and there seen Riass, Of
the size of a large ducks egg, Of dazzling white.
ness lighter than the dres snow, and of spongy tex
lure From the moment of its exhibition, II began 10
diminish visibly but rapidly lessened by the
portions pinched Off by the spectators The rest was
transferred to thin glass dsh and sulphuc ether add
ed The solid instantly became liquid aud escaped from
the ether with great rapdily, presenting the phenomenon
of violent ebulIlion Mercury thrown into the liquid
in The DISH was frozen in less than minute; and when
projected into the arr fell the desk with sound like
that of lead 1t did not ring The mercury, when so
lid formed lencular disk Of about the breadth OF a
cent and at the CENTRE Of about three times lis thick
Much credit is due 10 the ingenuity and perseverance
of Mr. Town, Dr. Ms assistant, for the success of an
experiment, which, far know. has hitherto re.
suited iavoraby only in The hands Of 1horler, and on
the present occasion least with the apparatus here
described for it successfully used at The factory OF
Nlessrs. Merrck * Agnew, where i, was made, and
tested previously to its public exhibition The mem.
beers of the class Of the franklin Institute promised
exhibition OF the properties of the curious substance
here described at tie lecture hour Monday evening
next.
General readers may perhaps not know, that the cause
of the sodlfcatlon of par, Of the acid, is, the great
GOODNESS produced by the sudden expansion Of the
mander it bursts into the gaseous state, when re
leased from the pressure 10 which il its fluid
dilion In ether the solid is suddenly guifed, and
pidy voa,azed and thus is excited the intense cold BY
which the mercury is 80 quickly frozen.