AMALGAM PRODUCED FROM AMMONIA. 6$ 



osmium forms a volatile and acrid substance by the absorp- 

 tion of oxigen, does the amalgam of ammonia produce the 

 volatile alkali; and if we suppose that ammonia is metal- 

 lized, by being combined with hidrogen, and freed from 

 water, the same reasoning will likewise apply to the other 

 metals, with this difference, that the adherence of their 

 phlogiston' or hidrogen would be exactly in the inverse 

 ratio of their attraction for oxigen. In platina* it would be 

 combined with the greatest energy ; in ammonium with the 

 least ; and if it be separable from any of the metals without 

 the aid of a new combination, we may expect that this re- 

 sult will be afforded by the most volatile and oxidable, such 

 as arsenic, or the metals of the fixed alkalis, submitted to 

 intense heat, under electrical polarities, and having the pres- 

 sure of the atmosphere removed. 



Whatever new lights new discoveries may throw upon this We are it least 

 subject, still the facts, that have been advanced, show, that oneste P ad- 

 a step nearer at least has been attained towards the true knowledge of 



knowledge of the nature of the alkalis and the earthsf. the earths and 

 * . alkalis. ■ 



Something 



* The common metallic oxides are lighter than their bases, but pot- Specific gravi- 

 ash and soda are heavier ; this fact may be explained on either theory ; ^es of com- 

 the density of a compound will be proportional to the attraction of its ^ U J- 1 ,f f^u 

 parts. Platina, having a weak affinity for oxigen, cannot be supposed to attraction of 

 condense it in the same degree as potassium does j or if platina and potas- their parts. 

 g'uim be both compounds of hidrogen, the hidrogen must be attracted in 

 platina with an energy infinitely greater than in potassium. Sulphuric 

 acid is lighter than sulphur; but phosphoric acid, where there is a 

 stronger affinity, is heavier than phosphorus. The oxide of tin (wood 

 tin) is very little inferior to tin in specific gravity. In this instance the 

 metallic base is comparatively light, and the attraction for oxigen strong; 

 and in a case when the metal is much lighter and the attraction for oxi- 

 gen stronger, it might be expected a priori, that the oxide would be hea- 

 vier than the base. 



f Since the facts in this paper were communicated to the Royal So- Potassium 

 ciety, I have seen an account of some very curious experiments of supposed to 

 Messrs. Gay Lussac and Thenard, (in Number 148 of the Moniteur, for beacompound 

 1808, which I have just received,) from one of which they have con- • ' 



eluded, " that potassium may be a compound of hidrogen and potash." 



These gentlemen are said to have heated potassium in ammonia, and 

 found, that the ammonia was absorbed, and that hidrogen gas equal to 

 two thirds of it* volume appeared, and that the potassium by this pro- 



