Berzelius on the Sulphurets. 215 
6. KS®; by the fusion of the preceding with sulphur, whose 
excess is driven off by a moderate heat, whilst we pass over the 
melted mass a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen, or any other 
non-oxydizing gas. 
7. KS1° ; by the fusion of carbonate of potash with an ex- 
cess of sulphur, till no more carbonic acid be disengaged. It 
is not necessary to raise the temperature to ignition, in order 
that the salt be completely decomposed. There is then formed 
KS? + 3 KS10°. 
The combinations where the sum of the atoms of sulphur is 
expressed by the even numbers, correspond to 1, 2,3, 4 and 5 
atoms of sulphur for the atom of potassium; potash being re- 
garded as composed of an atom of radical and an atom of 
oxygen. These combinations harmonize with the two manners 
of counting the atoms ; and the methods of obtaining them are 
such that they must produce combinations in determinate pro- 
portions. 
As to those where 1 atom of potassium is united to 7 or 9 
atoms of sulphur, they prove incontestably, says M. Berzelius, 
the justness of the opinion, that potash contains not one but two 
atoms of oxygen, considering that, in the first case, these combi- 
nations would contain 33 and 44 atoms of sulphur, and that 
we cannot admit half atoms. He is, however far from regard- 
ing the thing as proved by these compounds, especially since 
we know, that sulphuret of iron, for example, whether artificial 
or natural, is a combination of two degrees of sulphuration, as 
also that magnetic iron is composed of two different oxides of 
iron; and it would consequently be possible, that the said com- 
binations might contain two degrees of sulphuration which would 
be either altogether similar in composition to the simple KS? and 
KS?, or at least which would approach closely to them *. 
III. Combinations of sulphuretted Hydrogen with Potash. 
M. Berzelius has already shewn that the sub-carbonate of 
potash, decomposed by sulphuretted hydrogen gas, gives a hepar 
of a very bright yellow, which crystallizes on cooling, and which 
has a crystalline fracture like the salts. 20.87 grains of sub- 
carbonate, heated to a dull red, were exposed to a stream of 
sulphuretted hydrogen gas, as long as water was formed; and 
afterwards, while the apparatus was cooling. The compound 
was of a pale lemon yellow colour, and crystalline; presenting 
large brilliant plates. It weighed 22.28 grains. It was very 
deliquescent, and dissolved in water, to which it communicated 
a pale yellow colour. 
20.87 grains of carbonate of potash contain 11.816 grains of 
* Wehere present M. Berzelius’s views in his own words. They seem 
neither clear, nor consistent, aud we here enter our protest against the 
whole system of reasoning founded upon them. 
