EMILY.
You blowed too hard; for the ball suddenly dilated to a great size, and then burst in pieces.
MRS. B.
You will be more expert another time; but I must caution you, should you ever use this blow-pipe, to be very careful that the combustion of the alcohol does not go on with too great violence, for I have seen the flame sometimes dart out with such force as to reach the opposite wall of the room, and set the paint on fire. There is, however, no danger of the vessel bursting, as it is provided with a safety tube, which affords an additional vent for the vapour of alcohol when required.
The products of the combustion of alcohol consist in a great proportion of water, and a small quantity of carbonic acid. There is no smoke or fixed remains whatever.—How do you account for that, Emily?
EMILY.
I suppose that the oxygen which the alcohol absorbs in burning, converts its hydrogen into water and its carbon into carbonic acid gas, and thus it is completely consumed.
MRS. B.
Very well.—Ether, the lightest of all fluids, and with which you are well acquainted, is obtained from alcohol, of which it forms the lightest and most volatile part.
EMILY.