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372 Preparation of Potassium and Sodium. 
with a request to sete, one hundred copies of his wor k 
which is in 8 vols. 4 It is with such munificence that 
monarchs may abwelatty contribute to the progress of the 
human mind, when their favours fall upon the works of 
real merit. Rev. Encye. 
4. Preperation of Potassium and Sodium.—Prof. Brun- 
ner, in a communication addressed to Prof. Pictet, states 
very clearly the resnit of various experiments in the pre- 
paration of the alkaline metals; by which it appears that 
the agency of iron is not necessary in the decomposition 
of potash and soda, but rather injurious, the metallic bases 
being as easily obtained by charcoal alone. 
is apparatus consists of an oval shaped wrought iron 
bottle, half an inch thick, and capable of holding about a 
pint. It is provided with a neck, into which screws a bent 
gun barrel. ‘To preserve the barrel from the destructive 
effects of ba fire, he wraps tightly and td around it 
an iron wire. A common air furnace is provided, wide 
enough to rebate both the iron bottle and the. bent gun 
barrel after they are joined. The end of the barrel 
passes through a circular opening in the bottom plate of 
the furnace, ‘(the front of the furnace projecting outwards 
sufficiently for this purpose,) and dips into a cylindrical 
copper vessel, containing naptha which has a tight cover, 
with an opening in it to receive the barrel 
From the “oper part of this vessel a tube projects on 
one side for the purpose of allowing the gas to escape. 
and to ge tnother tube may be adjane, if the operator 
choosés, ' shall dip into a vessel of naptha or quick- 
: © epparats is probably supported within the 
ron braces. — furnace of Prof. of. Branner is 
awe with very dilute sulphuri se end beating the 
a hot, he introduced in tions 
rs pounded, and one ounce of pabested charcoal. Tie 
whole is mixed as intimately as possible with an iron 
os 
4 My 
