VI. On the spectra of the compounds of carbon with hydro­gen and nitrogen. No. II

Abstract

In our last communication on this subject ( ante , p. 152), we thus summarised the results of our observations as to the " nitrocarbon spectrum.” " On a review of the whole series of observations, certain points stand out plainly In the first place, the seven blue, the violet, and ultra-violet bands, characteristic of the flame of cyanogen are conspicuous in the arc taken in an atmosphere of nitrogen, air, nitric oxide, or ammonia, and they disappear, almost, if not quite, when the arc is taken in a non-nitrogenous atmosphere of hydrogen, carbonic oxide, carbonic acid, or chlorine. These same bands are seen brightly in the flames of cyanogen and hydrocyanic acid, but are not seen in those of hydrocarbons, carbonic oxide, or carbon disulphide. The conclusion seems irresistible that they belong to cyanogen ; and this conclusion does not seem to us at all invalidated by the fact that they are seen weakly, or by flashes, in the arc or spark taken in gases supposed free from nitrogen, by reason of the extreme difficulty of removing the last traces of air. They are never, in such a case, the principal or prominent part of the spectrum, and in a continuous experiment they are seen to fade out in proportion as the nitrogen is removed. This conclusion is strengthened by the observations of one of us, that cyanogen (or hydrocyanic acid) is generated in the arc m atmospheric air in large quantity."