The reactions of C({sup 1}D) with H{sub 2} and HCl were studied using two-photon 248-nm photolysis of C{sub 3}O{sub 2} as the source of C({sup 1}D). CH(X{sub 2}II) products were detected via LIF using the B{sub 2}{Sigma}{sup {minus}} {l_arrow} X{sup 2}II and A{sup 2}{Delta} {r_arrow} X{sup 2}II transitions, and conditions of no saturation and near-saturation for signals obtained using the B{sup 2}{Sigma}{sup {minus}} {l_arrow} X{sup 2}II transition were identified. The CH(X{sup 2}II) products are highly rotationally excited, and the {Lambda}-doublet and spin-orbit components are equally populated in both reactions (within experimental uncertainties). However, the CH product is the minor diatomic product in the C({sup 1}D) + HCl reaction, even though the reaction channel yielding CCl has comparable exothermicity. CCl is detected by LIF via the A{sup 2}{Delta}{l_arrow}+X{sup 2}II transition under near-nascent conditions and is highly vibrationally and rotationally excited. The results can be rationalized with an insertion mechanism involving short-lived carbene intermediates (i.e., CH{sub 2}, CHCl). The participation of surfaces of B{sub 1} and A{sup {double_prime}} symmetry in the reactions with H{sub 2} and HCl, respectively, is in accord with the observed little or no {Lambda}-doublet preferences in the CH(X{sup 2}II) products. In general, the insertion mechanism is analogous tomore » the mechanism of the corresponding O({sup 1}D) reactions, but several low-lying states of CH{sub 2}, CHCl are likely to participate. 68 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.« less