60 



ON THE METALS Of THfi ALRALIt* 



tosweied. 



Itttxodoction. 



Aivalgam of 



iTi>monTa not 

 actedonby the 

 »ir or sulpbaric 

 mcki 



A compound 

 ©f ammonia, 

 hidroiL'en, and 

 mercury. 



Messrs. Ga -Lussac and Thenani's Answer to the Analytr* 

 cal Researches, kt\ These are followed by Observations 

 on them by Messrs. Gm> -Lussac and Thenard, some ex* 

 tracts from . which will no do«bt be acceptable to our 

 readers; thoui;h a translation of the whole would take up 

 much room to little purpose, as most of the facts have 

 come before them in a drflt'rent form. The following is its 

 exordiutn. 



** The observations about to be read are divided into 

 tKr^e parts. We shall merely relate our mode of viewiug 

 things, supporting it by rFasons, which we believe to be 

 preponderant. If by accident any expressions escape us 

 liable to be misconstrued, we request our readers, and par-* 

 tiictilarly Mr. Davy, not to do this, v It is our intention, 

 unquestiopably, to combat some of his opinions, because 

 we do not always, think with him : but while we combat 

 them we wish to employ the language suited to truth, and 

 merit the esteem of the celebrated chemist, whose talents 

 have justly entitled him to that of all Europe, and more 

 particularly ours.'* 



On the first head these gentlemen say: " we have de* 

 monstrated, that the amalgam of ammonia has no action 

 on the air, or on sulphuric acid ; and it is totally impossi* 

 ble, that it should cover itself in the open air with a white 

 povrder of carbonate of ammonia." And again: 



*♦ In fine, we believe we have fully demonstrated, that 

 the ammoniacal amalgam is nothing but a compound of 

 mercury, ammonia, and hidrogen : for Mr. Davy opposes 

 nothing to us, but that it is impossible to dry this amalgara 

 thoroughly with blotting paper ; and that the water, which 

 covers it, combines with the ammonium, and reforms am- 

 monia. But we know very well, that it is difficult to dry 

 the surface ol this amalgam with paper: and accordingly 

 we take only the centre, after- having cooled it to zero [32°], 

 to increase ils consistency ; we introduce it into a very dry 

 jar with very dry mercury; and immediately the amalgam 

 decomposing gives out ammoniacal and hidrogen gas. Cer- 

 tainly this experiment is unobjectionable. 



" However, as this experiment has not convinced Mr, 

 Davy; and as perhaps ht*-\vill tell us, that there is a little 



wate? 



