fire-air

In this remarkable book he tells of his discovery of oxygen -- "empyreal" or "fire-air," as he calls it -- which he seems to have made independently and without ever having heard of the previous discovery by Priestley.

A History of Science: in Five Volumes. Volume IV: Modern Development of the Chemical and Biological Sciences 1904

I am inclined to believe that fire-air consists of a subtle acid substance united with phlogiston, and it is probable that all acids derive their origin from fire-air.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

In this case I obtained a pure fire-air, without any aerial acid in it.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

I mixed vitiated air (§ 20) with fire-air which behaved in just the same way: that is to say the fire-air was converted into aerial acid.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

(No. 2), the water is then in a condition again to absorb fire-air anew, and to convey it to the animals.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

After 14 days the 4 parts of fire-air were lost, and the solution had risen into their place.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

+ -- I mixed, in the same proportions, fire-air and air vitiated by peas, and filled a bladder with it.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

The following experiment likewise shewed me that aquatic animals take fire-air from the water.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

Accordingly I was curious to know whether the fire-air was not that which was here converted into aerial acid, because in these latter experiments just as much of the air was converted into aerial acid as there was of fire-air present in it.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764

Accordingly I repeated the same experiment, only with this difference, that I put a handful of potashes into the bladder before the fire-air was driven into it.

Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2 Carl Wilhelm Scheele 1764