hy Zinc hi the metallic State. ^6^ 



decompofition, which took place in the experiment with di- 

 ftilled water on the i6th of Fru6lidor, year 9, and in that 

 with common water on the 24th of the fame month. During 

 the whole time the temperature varied only one or two de- 

 grees. 



As the refults appeared to be the fame in regard to the 

 reft of the operation, I (liall proceed to examine the experi, 

 ment made with diftilled water. 



ift, The piece of zinc, weighing 22*9456 grammes before 

 its immerfion in the liquor, was completely freed from all 

 the metal with which it was covered. In tliis ttate it weighed 

 no more than 15-9345 grammes (4 gros 12 grains). Its fur- 

 face was covered with a gray pulverulent ftratum, the greater 

 part of which ftill retained its metallic brilliancy, while the 

 other feemed to have undergone a commencement of oxida- 

 tion. When entirely freed from this Itratum, which could 

 be eafily detached with the finger, and which appeared to me 

 to be nothing but zinc, having its molecuUe in part fepa- 

 rated, it wal reduced to the weight of 13-380 grammes 

 (3 g™-^ 37 grains). 



2d, The portion of the new metallic alloy, zinc and lead *, 

 arifino- from the decompofition of the acelite, was waftied 

 feveral times in diftilled water. Being fubjcfted to the aftion 

 of a good prefs, and then to gradual perculiion on a piece of 

 fteel, it polfeflcd greater duftility than lead alone. When 

 dried in clofc veflels, and then expofed to i'udden heat in an 

 iron fpoon. a portion of it was fpeedily converted into a 

 grecnifl) vellow oxide. The other portion, reduced without 

 anv addition, furnilhed a fniall metallic button of the weight 

 of 9-0183 grammes (2 gros 38 grains), and containing zinc, 

 but much Icfs weight for weight than was contained in the 

 above matter before it was heated. 



I mult obferve, that, notwithftanding all the precautions 

 which I took to feparaie, either by the help of a prefs and 

 unfued paper, or by deficcation, all the water intcrixjfed be- 

 tween the moleculce of the metal, 1 was not able to iucceed. 

 It appears probable, that under this circumftance the fpeedy 

 oxidation of the new metallic alloy was owing, tft, To the 

 decompofition of the lad moIecuUe of water, which could 

 not be entirelv expelled : 2d, To the prefence of the almo- 

 fphcric air of the veflcls : 3d, To the contact and decompofi- 

 tion of the fame fluid during the fufion of the metal. 



• The formation of this metallic alloy ai^recs with the experiments of 

 Vaiiquclin, froiri wiiicU it rcfulfi, that in (cveial cafes, whtn a metsl \i 

 prccii'itatcd from its loliition by anotiicr, the pricpitatcd nittal partakes 

 in liimc degr e of the prtiipitaiit. This ph«noiTicnon takes place in par- 

 ticular ilurin^ t'ac precipitation of tl.e white mcub by zinc. 



Examination 



