SS? 
The Two Electricities. 373 
Over this mixture he introduced two ounces of iron turn- 
ings. From these ingredients he obtained two and a 
gros of potassium, in the form of brilliant buttons swim- 
ming in the Naphtha. 
In the second experiment, eight ounces of snbaaelen 
of potash, mixed with six ounces of iron turnings and two 
ounces of charcoal. and these covered with one ounce of 
iron wpnek yielded two gros and twenty grains of po- 
tassium. 
In the third experimentsix ounces of subcarbonate of pot- 
ash were heated with three ounces of charcoal, without 
any iron, and three gros of potassium were obta ined. 
In the fourth experiment, to obviate the sate that 
the iron of the apparatus might have effected the reduc- 
tion, he heated the same mixture in an earthen retort. 
The same indications of the formation of potassium were 
manifested, by the production of inflammable gasses, &c., 
but at the moment when the potassium was expected, the 
retort broke. On putting the neck of it, when cold, into 
water, peeeestion ensued, proving that the metal had 
been produced. 
Upon ining De pty nid with iron spe. soit 
such as are used a mit small naa of metal, 
and with an iron bottle and gun barrel, potassium may be 
obtained by the agency of charcoal, and at a heat which 
does not endanger the safety of the apparatus. In this me- 
thed also the subcarbonates answer the pu rosa! papier 
than the caustic alkalies. 
es: 
i : Bib. Lise Jan. 1823. t 
5. The two electricities may be distinguished Sain eh 
other by turning the electric current, as it issues from a 
the 
point, upon _ The taste of the positive current 
is acid, and th ‘negative current is more caustic 
Manuel de Chime par Berzelivs. 
