Manchester Mevioirs, Vol. liii. (1909), No. II. 5 



a few drops of the strong acid, it catches fire and burns 

 while falh'ng through the moist gas above the h"quid. 

 The moment it touches the acid solution a violent decom- 

 position, accompanied by a bright flash and a sharp 

 report, takes place, while fine strings of sodium chloride 

 crystals hang down in the acid liquid from the point at 

 which the hydride touched it. The only other reaction 

 which presents points of interest is with absolute alcohol. 

 The hydrogen of the hydride seems to be given off 

 entirely at the moment of contact with the liquid, as 

 there is an immediate hissing and evolution of gas while 

 the alcohol becomes warm, after which small globules 

 and filaments of sodium swim about and disappear more 

 gradually. 



The other reactions will be found in the paper by 

 Moissan to which reference has already been made. 



The University, Manchester. 



