ON THE DECOMPOSITION OP THE FIXED ALKALIS. ] 47 



able quantity of potash being decomposed in the galvanic Potash being 



circle, a sudden deflagration of the metallary base ensued, ^^J^/ 



by which several particles of the caustic alkali were thrown deuly deftagra- 

 . , ted, 



into my eyes. : . 



. ,., -ii i ,i 1 and several 



To prevent the like accident happening to others, who par tictes 



mav be ensued in similar experiments, is my motive for thrown into 



n , . , T ~ 1 • • , • ■ tne operator'* 



sending you this. Vv nether it is worth your notice or not, eyes# 



you will judge. 



I remain, blrl, 



Your obedient servant, 

 Tunbridge, Jan. 22, 1808. PHILOMMATOS. 



P. S. I lose no time in making the communication, but 

 my eyes are still so weak, I can scarcely see to write. 



X. 



Correction of some Misstatements in the Account of Mr. Davfs 

 Decomposition of the fixed Alkalis. In a Letter from a 

 Correspondent. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 



SIR* London, Jan. 24, 180S. 



JL HE extensive circulation of your excellent Journal both Misstatements 

 at home and abroad makes it more desirable, that it should in the account 

 not be the means of propagating any incorrect statements of ° >0 ^Jf on ^" n " e 

 scientific facts; and such statements are given in the account fixed alkalis. 

 of Mr. Davy's important discovery of the decomposition of 

 the fixed alkalis. 



I was present at the reading of his lecture. I paid the 

 greatest attention to it. I feel that your well known love of 

 philosophical justice will induce you, to give a place in your 

 publication to what I am convinced were the real accounts 

 of the author. 



It is stated in your Journal, that the basis of potash is vo- Basis of potash 



latile at 100°. Mr. Davy's account was, that it is volatile ™j atile a h " le 



.... below a red 



at a heat a little below redness. It is likewise said, that the heat. 



amalgam of the basis of potash and quicksilver, when ap- Its amalgam 

 plied in the circle of a galvanic battery, dissolved iron, sil- dlssolve * nie " 

 ver, gold, and platina. Mr. Davy merely mentioned, that 

 it dissolved these metals ; he said nothing, that \ can recol- 

 lect, of the galvanic battery. 



L 2 Glass, 



