Berzelius on the Sulphurets. 419 
On the Composition of Alkaline Sulphurets, by M. Berzelius. 
(Concluded from page 216.) 
IV. Formation of Hepar by the Humid Way. 
Hepar may be made either by boiling hydrosulphuret of potash 
with sulphur, or by boiling (or fusing) hydrate of potash at a 
moderate heat, with sulphur. When we digest a strong aqueous 
solution of sulphuret of potassium at a minimum with sulphur in 
powder it dissolves it, and we obtain by this means sulphuret 
of potassium at every degree, till the solution contains 4 atoms 
of hydrogen and 10 atoms of sulphur for 1 atom of potash. The 
same combination as this is formed when sulphuret of potassium 
at a maximum is dissolved in water. 
2. When the neutral hydro-sulphuret of potash in concentrated 
solution is mixed with sulphur in powder, there results a strong 
effervescence, even at the ordinary temperature. Sulphuretted 
hydrogen gas is disengaged, the sulphur is dissolved, and the 
liquid assumes an orange colour. If we continue to add sulphur 
as long as the disengagement of gas takes place, we finish by 
obtaining a combination similar to that above described, where 
4 atoms of hydrogen and 10 of sulphur are associated with 1 of 
potash. 
3. Sulphur put to digest with hydrate of potash dissolves in 
it; one portion of the sulphur is acidified in the lowest degree, 
and forms hypo-sulphurous acid. 
Observations made long since have shown that lime cannot 
be combined, in the dry way, with a great quantity of sulphur. 
I have proved that when lime is reduced by sulphuretted hydro- 
gen, there is formed a bi-sulphuret of calcium. 
In general, by the humid way, we can prepare only two de- 
terminate combinations, one with 10 atoms of sulphur, and the 
other with 4. The last is obtained by boiling the earth in water 
along with sulphur, and letting the solution cool. This com- 
bination then crystallizes. ; 
M. Berzelius infers from his experiments, that sulphur cannot 
combine with an oxidized body, and that consequently no sul- 
phuretted alkalis exist. When a salifiable base takes sulphur 
in the dry way, its reduction is partially effected, and there is 
formed a sulphate, and a metallic sulphuret. In the humid 
way, either the same reduction takes place, or the water is de- 
composed, and a part of the base combines with a compound of 
sulphur and hydrogen; whilst the other part unites with the 
hyposulphurous acid, which is generated at the same time. 
V. Of the Combinations of the metallic Sulphurets with the 
Alkalis. 
It is known that the sulphurets of lead, silver, copper, iron, man= 
ganese, &c., areinsoluble in the alkalis; while those of arsenic, 
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