486 On some neiu analytical Researches 



retort that had been filled with mercury in its common statd 

 or dryness, [obtained seven cubical inches or' ammonia, as 

 the first product; and in another experiment which had 

 been made with eight grains, and in which moisture was 

 purposely introduced, I obtained nearly nine cubical inches 

 ol ammonia, and only four of the mixed gases. 



I am inclined to believe, that if moisture could be intro- 

 duced only in the proper proportion, the quantity of am- 

 monia generated, would be exactly equal to that which dis- 

 appeared in the first process. 



This idea is confirmed by the trials which I have made, by 

 heating the fusible substance with potash, containing its wa- 

 ter of crystallization, and muriate of lime partially dried*. 



In both these cases, ammonia was generated with great 

 rapidity, and no other gas, but a minute quantity of inflam- 

 mable gas, evolved, which was condensed by detonation with 

 oxygen with the same phaenomena as pure hydrogen. 



In one instance, in which thirteen cubical inches of am- 

 monia had disappeared, I obtained nearly eleven and three 

 quarters by the agency of the water of the potash ; the quan- 

 tity of inflammable gas generated, was less than four tenths 

 of a cubical inch. 



In another, in which fourteen cubical inches had been 

 absorbed, I procured by the operation of the moisture of 

 muriate of lime, nearly eleven cubical inches of volatile al- 

 kali, and half a cubical inch of inflammable gas ; and the 

 differences, there is every reason to believe, were owing to 

 an excess of water in the salts, by which s^orne of the gas 

 was absorbed. 



Whenever, in experiments on the fusible substance, it has 

 been procured from ammonia saturated with moisture, I have 

 always found that more ammonia is generated from it by 

 mere heat ; and the general tenourofthe experiments inclines 

 me to believe, that the small quantity, produced in experi- 



* If water, in its common form, is brought in contact with the fusible sub- 

 stance, it is impossible to regulate the quantity, so as to gain conclusive re- 

 sults, and a very slight excess of water causes the disappearance of a very 

 large quantity of the ammonia generated. In potash and muriate of lime, in 

 certain states of dryness, the water is too strongly attracted by the saline 

 matter to be given off, except for the purpose of generating the ammonia. 



ments 



