A light so brilliant that the eye can scarcely bear to contemplate it,
is produced by the immersion of phosphorus in oxygen gas. To perform
this experiment, you place a piece of phosphorus in a copper cup, of
the circumference of a sixpence, which is fastened to a thick piece of
iron wire, attached to a cork which fits a bottle (as in the foregoing
experiment) filled with oxygen gas. Set fire to the phosphorous, and
quickly plunge it into the bottle; when the splendour of the combustion
will be surpassingly beautiful.
It is necessary to observe, that the heat is so excessive, that if the
piece of phosphorous in this experiment be larger than a small pea,
there will be great danger of breaking the bottle.