XXIII. Experiments on air.

Abstract

In a Paper, printed in the last volume of the Philosophical Transactions, in which I gave my reasons for thinking that the diminution produced in atmospheric air by phlogistication is not owing to the generation of fixed air, I said it seemed most likely, that the phlogistication of air by the electric spark was owing to the burning of some inflammable matter in the apparatus; and that the fixed air, supposed to be produced in that process, was only separated from that inflammable matter in the apparatus; and that the fixed air, supposed to be produced in that process, was only separated from that inflammable matter by the burning.