The last U tube was connected with the vessel containing the baryta water by means of a mercury joint. The baryta water was protected from the action of the air by placing before it a small U tube containing solid potassium hydroxide, this was in connection with an aspirator. Before connecting the bulbs containing the baryta water, air free from carbon dioxide was drawn through the apparatus. On now connecting the baryta water bulbs no precipitate was formed. About one third of the air in the flask was replaced by pure carbon monoxide, the mixture was allowed to remain several hours in contact with the moist phosphorus and then drawn through the baryta water bulbs. No precipitate was formed. This experiment was frequently repeated with the same result.”
“In some cases the air & carbon monoxide were drawn together slowly for several hours over the phosphorus, but this made no difference in the result.”
Having found, therefore, no evidence of the oxidation of carbon monoxide, we have no right to assume that when phosphorus oxidizes slowly in the presence of water and air that there is formed an active condition of oxygen distinct from ozone.
To this paper both Baumann[27] and Leeds[28] replied. The former recognizing the necessity of avoiding all connections of rubber or organic matter, describes a new form of apparatus, in which the joints are all made of ground glass. With this new apparatus he finds that he can pass air over phosphorus at the rate of from two to three bubbles per second, then through 10 cubic centimetres of water, and finally into baryta water, and claims that only a slight turbidity of phosphate and phosphite of barium is formed in the course of several days! This statement to us is incomprehensible and as will be evident from what follow, unless Baumann had phosphorus absolutely free from carbon (of which he makes no mention and which as far as we know it is impossible to obtain) he has described an impossibility. On introducing 100 cubic centimetres of carbon monoxide into the air every two hours he soon obtained a distinct cloudiness which constantly increased, until in 10 hours the inlet tube in the baryta water became stopped up and the experiment was discontinued. He then determined the percentage of oxidation; his results are as follows--