12 Some Experiments and Observations on a new Sulstance 



hvdrate of potassa is to 0*25 tlie quantity of the substance, as 

 7.T, the iunnl)cr representing potassium, is to KKi. Again, one 

 grain of h^•cIrate of soda reqriiied 2- 1 grains of the new sub- 

 stance for its saturation, and oni; grain of hydrate of soda con- 

 tains -a/S of sodium ; so that, supposing the combination of the 

 new substance •with sodium to contain a double proportion of 

 the substance, the muuber representing the proportion in which 

 it combines will be nearly 160. 



Two grains of the compound of the suljstance with sodium 

 decomposed by sulphuric acid afforded 128 of dry sulphate of 

 soda, and calculating on tliis experiment the number is 165*5. 



I have made some experiments on tlie quantity of the sub- 

 stance absorbed by tin, mercury, and lead. Mercury absorbs 

 nearly three-fourths of its weigiit of the ne^v body to become 

 the crimson substance ; from which it appears that it must ab- 

 sorb two proportions. 



My experiments have been made upon quantities too small to 

 afford very exact results ; but the*>' show that the new substance 

 enters into union in a quantity much more than twice as great 

 as that of chlorine, and, considered as an element, it offers a 

 number much higher tlian those of the simple inflammable 

 bodies, and higher even than those of most of the metals. 



The most correct mode of ascertaining the number represent- 

 ing the proportion (supposing it to be definite, as is the case 

 with all otlier bodies that have been accurately examined) in 

 which it combines, will proba!)ly be by ascertaining the specific 

 gravity of its gaseous compound with hydrogen. This gas, as 

 I have stated, affords only half its volu.me of hydrogen, and it 

 appeared to me to neutralize an equal volume of ammonia ; so 

 tliat, supposing it to consist of two jjroportions oT hydrogen, and 

 only one of the sul)stance, that is, to be analogous to muriatic 

 acid gas in its nature, it must be one of the heaviest elastic fluids 

 existing. 



Taking the numl:)er representing the proportion in which the 

 new substance combines as 1G5, and sup]:)osing that it occupies 

 the same volume in tliis gas that chlorine occupies in muriatic 

 acid gas, 100 cubical inches of the gas will weigh at mean tem- 

 perature and pressure 95-27 grains, i.o. supposing hydrogen in 

 the'same quantity to weigh 2-27 grains. 



I am not at present in possession of an apparatus for weigh- 

 ing the gas v.-itli accuracy. A particular device will be required 

 for this ])urjJOse, as the gas cannot be preserved over mercury. 

 It may be collected during the action of phosphorus on the 

 moistened substance in a vessel exhausted of air ; or it may be 

 made by heating the compound of the substance and potassium 

 in muriatic acid gas in a glass vessel : in this case, there is, I 



find. 



