]$Q DECOMPOSITION OFTOTASH BY GALVANISM. 



tions of Beccari on solar phor.phori, and those facts, which 

 are stated in my letters. For as I think there can be no 

 doubt but the phosphoric appearance of bodies in the dark, 

 after exposure to the light of the sun, and the phosphores- 

 cency of those substances that have been exposed to the 

 light of an electric explosion, proceed from the same cause, 

 they mtist necessarily be subject to similar laws. 



But this subject will claim our attention more particularly 

 hereafter, when I shall have occasion to speak of the nature 

 and cause of this phosphoric phenomenon. 



I remain, Your's, &c. 

 WILLIAM SKRIMSH1RE, Ju*. 



XIV. 



Experiments on the Decomposition of the fixed Alkalis bp 

 Galvanism. In a Letter from Mr. Charles Sylvester. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 

 Dear Sir, 



Farther expe- JD>EING on a visit, for a few days, with my friend, Mr. 

 nments on the J J 



decomposition Oakes, Jun. of Derby, we have together made some expe- 



o a ka is. riments, in prosecution of the inquiry instituted by Mr. 

 Davy, relative to the decomposition of the fixed alkalis by 

 the galvanic influence; the result of whose research has 

 been recently communicated to the Royal Society. 



Potash expos- In the first experiment, we used a pair of troughs, expo- 



ed to the action sm „. a surface of 1400 square inches, and placed the potash, 

 of a surface ot , r . r 1 , , . . „ . . _ 



1400 inches, which was perfectly pure and white, on a plate of platina ; but 



did not moisten it, as is said to have been the casein Mr.Davy's 

 experiments, the deliquescence of the alkali precluding the 

 necessity of such precaution. As soon as the platina wire 

 was brought into contact with the potash, from the opposite 

 Gas evolved, end of the battery, a considerable quantity of gas was 

 evolved; arising most probably from a decomposition of the 

 The alkali water. The alkali, in consequence, assumed a blackish co- 

 blackened and j 0lir which continued to be produced so long as the action 

 emitted sparks. . > . ' . ° ,,v, .i 



was maintained, sparks being frequently emitted ; which- lat- 

 ter effect has only been observed to take place with charcoal 

 and the metals. *f 



Exposed to the ^ second experiment was made, with the addition of ano- 

 ther 



