1 29 On some new annlyl'ical Researches 



Some of the olive inflimmahle matter, with a little potas- 

 sium, was heated to wiiiieness, coverctl with iron filings, a 

 (lark metalline ma<;s wa? fonnetl, which conductetl electri- 

 citv, and which produced a very slight eflervesccnce in water, 

 and gave by solution in nitric acid, oxide or iron and bo- 

 racic acid. 



The substance \vhich enters into alloy with potassium, 

 and with iron, I am inclined to consider as the true basis 

 of the boracic acid. 



In the olive-coloured n)atter, this basis seems to exist in 

 union with a little oxv<ien ; and when the olive-coloured 

 snbstance is dried at common temperatures, it likewise con- 

 tains water. 



In the black non-conduct'mg matter, produced in the 

 combustion oF the olive-coloured substance, the basis is evi- 

 dently cou)bmed with much more oxvgen, and in its fuH 

 state of oxygenation it constitutes boracic acid. 



From the colour of the oxides, their solubility in alkalies, 

 and from their general powers of combination, and from the 

 conducting nature. and lustre of the matter produced by the 

 action of a small quantitv of potassium upon the olive-co- 

 loured substance^ and fVom all analogy; there is strong rea- 

 son to consider the boracic ba^iisas metallic in its nature, and 

 I venture to propose for it tlie name of Ivracium. 



VII. Anahjf'"'al Inquiries respscling Fluoric Acid. 



T have already laid beibre the Society the account of my 

 first experiments on the action of potassium on fluoric acid 

 gas*. 



1 stated, that the metal burns when heated in this elastic 

 fluid, and that there is a great absorption of the gas. 



Since the time that this communication was made, I have 

 carried on various processes, wiih the view of ascertainins:, 

 accurately, the products of combustion, and I shall now de- 

 scribe their results. 



When fluoric acid gas, that has been procured in contact 

 with class, is introduced into a plate glass retort, exhausted 

 after being fdled with hydrogen gas, white fumes are imme- 

 diately perceived. The metal loses its splendour, and be- 

 pomes covered with a grayish crust. 



When the bottom of the retort is gently heated, the fuiiaes 



* Philosophical Tr.inBacUons, Part tl., for 180S, p. :^ 13. The conibustion 

 of potassium in fluoric acid I h.ive since sccii mentioned in tlie number of the 

 Monitciir ■.iircudy so often quoted, as ol)?erved by MM. Gay Lussac and 

 •Ihtriard ; but no notice is taken of the results. 



become 



