Pyrophorus, which inflames in nitrous gas, and atmospheric air, at or
even below 40°, requires for its combustion in nitrous oxide a much
higher temperature. It will not burn in it, or alter it, even at 212°.
I have often inflamed pyrophorus in nitrous oxide over mercury, by
means of a wire strongly heated, but not ignited. The light produced
by the ignition of pyrophorus in nitrous oxide is white, like that
produced by it in oxygene: in nitrous gas it is red.
When pyrophorus burns out in nitrous oxide, a little increase of the
volume of gas is produced. Strontian lime water agitated in this gas
becomes clouded; but the quantity of carbonic acid formed is extremely
minute. I have never made any delicate experiments on the combustion of
pyrophorus in nitrous oxide.