\Meth"ane\, n. [See {Methal}.] (Chem.)
A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable hydrocarbon, {CH4};
marsh gas. See {Marsh gas}, under {Gas}.

{Methane series} (Chem.), a series of saturated hydrocarbons,
   of which methane is the first member and type, and
   (because of their general chemical inertness and
   indifference) called also the {paraffin (little affinity)
   series}. The lightest members are gases, as methane,
   ethane; intermediate members are liquids, as hexane,
   heptane, etc. (found in benzine, kerosene, etc.); while
   the highest members are white, waxy, or fatty solids, as
   paraffin proper.