on various Objects* 25 



form of the gray pyrophoric sublimate, which T have found 

 is always produced when potassium is electrized and con- 

 verted into vapour in ammonia. 



The phosphuiet of lime in its common state is a con- 

 ductor of' electricity; and when it was made the medium 

 of communication between the wires of the great battery, 

 it burnt with a most intense light. It was ignited to 

 whiteness in nitrogen gas ; a little phosphuretted hydrogen 

 was given oft from it, but t*he nitrogen was not altered; 

 the apparatus was similar to that used for the potassium. 



As almost all compounds known to contain hydrogen 

 are readily decomposed by oxvmuriatic acid gas, a mixture 

 of nitrogen rind oxvmuriatic acid gas was passed through 

 a porcelain tube heated to whiteness ; the products were 

 received in a pneumatic apparatus over water, there was a 

 small loss of nitrogen ; but the greatest part came over 

 densely clouded ; and as nitromuriatie acid was found dis- 

 solved in the water, no conclusions concerning the decom- 

 position of nitrogen can be drawn from the process. 



The general tenant of these inquiries cannot be consi- 

 dered as strengthening in any considerable degree, the 

 suspicion which T formed of the decomposition of nitro- 

 gen, by the distillation oi the olive-colonrcd substance from 

 potassium and ammonia, in tubes of iron. * 



In reasoning closely upon the phaenomena in this opera- 

 tion, it appears to me indeed possible to account for the 

 loss of nitrogen, without assuming that it has been con- 

 verted into new matter. Though the iron tubes which J, 

 used were carefullv cleaned ; yet still it was not unlikely 

 that a small quantity of oxide might adhere to the welded 

 parts; the oxygen of which, in the beginning of the pro- 

 cess of distillation, might form water with hvdrogen, given 

 off from the fusible substance ; which being condensed in 

 the upper part of the tube, would be again brought into 

 action towards the close of the operation, occasioning the 

 formation, and possibly the absorption of some ammonia, 

 and consequently a loss of nitrogen, and the production of 

 an increased proportion of hydrogen. 1 have made one 

 experiment, with the hopes of deciding this question, in 

 an iron tube used immediately after the whole internal 

 surface had been cleaned by the borer; six grains of potas- 

 sium were used in a tray of iron, nearly thirteen cubical 

 inches of ammonia were absorbed, and about six of hydro- 

 gen produced. Thirteen cubical inches of gas were evolved 

 ia the first operation ; which consisted of nearly one cubi- 

 cal 



