Carbonic gas in the atmosphere

1357. The quantity of carbonic acid gas in the atmosphere is very small. It is not easy to determine it with precision, and it varies slightly in different situations; but, where there is a free circulation of air, it is probably never more than one 1000th, nor less than one 2000th, of the volume of air. Carbonic acid gas is nearly one-third heavier than the other elastic parts of the atmosphere in their mixed state; hence, at first view, it might be supposed that it would be most abundant in the lower regions of the atmosphere; but, unless it has been immediately produced at the surface of the earth by some chemical process, this does not seem to be the case; elastic fluids of different specific gravities have a tendency to equable mixture by a species of attraction, and the different parts of the atmosphere are constantly agitated and blended together by winds or other causes. De Saussure found lime-water precipitated on Mont Blanc, the highest point of land in Europe; and carbonic acid gas has been always found, apparently in due proportion, in the air brought down from great heights in the atmosphere by aeronautic adventurers.

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