374 Napoleon^s "Prize for Galvanism. 



1 1 is stated in jour Magazine, that the basis of potash 

 is volatile at lOO". Mr, Davy's account was, that " it is 

 volatile at a heat a little below redness." — It is likewise said 

 that the amalgam of the bases of potash and quicksilver, when 

 applied in the circle of a Galvanic battery, dissolved iron, 

 s Iver, gold, and platina. Mr. Davy merely mentioned 

 that it dissolved these metals ; he said nothing that I can 

 recollect of the Galvanic b.ittcry. 



Glass, it is said bv the Reporter on the Lecture, as w'ell 

 as all o//i6T metallic bodies, was dissolved by the, basis of 

 potash. 



'I'lic real statement with regard to glass was, that the basis 

 of potash decomposed it by combining with its alkali, and 

 bv forming a red oxide of less degree of oxygenation than 

 potash ; which oxide was likewise procured by other means. 



It is stated that the specific gravity of the basis of soda is 

 to that of water as 7 to 10. INIr. Davy said " as 9 to 10." 



Mr. Davy mentioned nothing about the effects of these 

 new and extraordinary bodies upon the phosphates and 

 phosphurets ; but detailed some remarkable experiments on 

 the phcenomena of their combinations with phosphorus 

 and sulphur. He said nothing concerning the specific gra- 

 vity of the amalgams of the bases of potash and soda. 



As the account in the Philosophical Magazine has been 

 copied into many periodical publications, it is but justice to 

 the discoverer of these new facts to correct its inaccuracies ; 

 as otherwise they may be attributed to the author by those 

 who repeat his experiments, on the faith of the statements. 



You will, therefore, I trust, take the trouble of inserting 

 this letter in your next number. I am, sir, with great respect, 

 your oblic;cd humble servant, 



A Chemist. 



NAPOLEON S PRIZE FOR GALVANISM. 



The annual prize of 3000 livres, founded by the emperor 

 of the French for the best experiment made in the course 

 of the year on the Galvanic fluid, has been decreed to Mr. 

 Davy, member of t'le Royal Society of London, for his 

 Mtfiwoir on the Chemical Action of Electricity. 



NEW 



