440 Professor Kang on the Action of Ammonia 
was treated with potash for analysis, as in p. 432. it has been seen that the ammonia 
disengaged was but one-half what it contained, the formation of the yellowish powder 
being the limit at which the decomposition stops. In these cases, however, the 
powder product is not so bright in colour as that produced by the action of mere 
water. It does not appear to be quite so pure, but in its properties it manifests com- 
plete identity. 
Nevertheless, in order to leave no room for doubt upon the matter, I decomposed 
corrosive sublimate by a great excess of ammonia, added a strong solution of potash, 
and boiled for a considerable time. ‘The yellowish white powder produced, was se- 
parated by the filter and washed until the liquors ceased to effect turmeric paper : 
dried carefully. It weighed from 100 of sublimate, 85 grains. When heated it gave 
out water, ammonia, and azote, and calomel with metallic mercury sublimed. When 
suddenly heated, it puffed up, more so than the pure yellow powders, which was pro- 
bably the reason of its having been confounded with the ammoniuret which possesses 
a very slight detonating property. 
To analyze it, 66,83 grains were dissolved in muriatic acid, and having been diluted 
were decomposed by a current of sulphuretted hydrogen gas. The black sulphuret 
was collected on a weighed filter, and having been carefully dried, weighed 67,70 
grains, consisting of 
Mercury 58,42 
Sulphur 9,28 
The liquor evaporated, gave sal-ammoniac 6,58 grains, consisting of 
Chlorine 4,35 
Hydrogen 912 
Ammonia 2,11 
There were thus obtained from 66,83 of this powder— 
Mercury 58,42) 
Chlorine 7 hl be 
Ammonia 2,11 66,83 
Oxygen and loss 1,935 J 
But the yellow powder by water, should have given from the formula : 
(2 Ch + Hg) +2 Hg + (2 NH? + Hg) 
Mercury 57,30 
Chlorine 5,00 
Amidogene 2,28 
Oxygen 2,25 
This result proves the identity of the effect in the two cases of the action of water 
and of an alkali. 
66,83 
