On the Prismatic Spectra of the Flames of Compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen

While the prismatic spectra of the blue portions of an oil-lamp or coal-gas flame, exhibit a number of bright lines, separated by dark intervals, the spectra derived from the bright light of these flames are perfectly continuous. Apparently inconsistent results are in like manner obtained when the flames of different compounds of carbon and hydrogen are compared. Thus, lines are easily seen in the spectrum of the flame of alcohol, which are invisible in that of the flame of oil of turpentine.