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XLVIT. Neiu analytical Researches on the Nature of certain 

 Bodies, leiiv^ an Appendix to the Bakerian Lecture for 

 1808. By Humphry Davy, Esq. Sec. R.S., Prof. 

 Chem. R. I. * 



1. Further Inquiries on the -Action of Potassium on 

 Ammonia, and on the Analysis of Atnmofiitif. 



JL HE most remarkable circumstances occurring in the ac- 

 tion of potassium upon ammonia are the disappearance of" 

 a certain quantity of nitrogen, and the conversion of a part 

 of the potassium into potash. 



The first query which I advanced in the last Bakerian 

 Lecture, on this obscure and ditticult subject, was whether 

 the gas developed in the iirst part of the process of the ab- 

 sorption of ammonia by potassium is liydrogen, or a new 

 species of inflammable aeriform substance, the basis of. ni- 

 trogen ? 



Experiments made to determine this point have proved, 

 as I expected, that the gas differs in no respect from that 

 given out during the solution of zinc in sulphuric acid ; or 

 that produced during the action of potassium on water. By 

 slow combustion with oxvgen, it generates pure water only, 

 and its weight, in a case in which it was mixed with at- 

 mospherical air, precisely corresponded with that of an 

 equal quantity of hydrogen. 



Another query which I put is, Has nitrogen a metallic 

 basis which alloys with the metals employed in the experi- 

 ment ? 



This query I cannot answer in so distinct a manner; but 

 such results as 1 have, been able to obtain are negative. 



I have examined the potassium generated in the process. 

 It has precisely the same properties as potassium produced 

 in the common experiment of the gun-barrel ; and gives 

 the same results by combustion in oxygen, and by the 

 kclion of water. 



In cases in which 1 had distilled the olive-coloured fu- 

 sible substance in an iron tray, the surface of the tray ap- 

 peared much corroded, the metal was brittle, and appeared 



• From Philosophical Transactions for 1809, Part II. 



•j- The account of the princip:il facts re<^pectii)g the action of potassium on 

 ammonia, in this communication, were read before the Roy^l Society, 

 Februarys, 180'.). 'I'hc jiapcr was ordered to be printed March 10', 180<>. 

 At that time, havi:ig slated to the council that I had since made some new 

 ciptrimeuts on tln^ n.aUcr, and on the subjects discasscd in the Bakerian 

 Lecture for 1808, 1 received permissitn to add them to tlie detail of the 

 furaicr observations for publication. 



Y 2 crystallized. 



