26 Observations on a Fiery Meteor. 
But the composition of water cannot be shown by a compound 
test. ‘Potassium inflames when gently heated, aud throws 
off fumes which are alkaline *.’’ Consequently potassium is a 
compound of an inflammable element and a metal, and therefore 
it may be used as a test to prove that water is a simple body, 
and not a compound. For the inflammable element and water 
will form hydrogen gas, and the metal when strongly heated will 
attract oxygen gas in the same manner as other metals. 
“It may be remarked, that oxygen is mz/d when in the pro- 
portion of 22 per cent. in atmospheric air, and highly corro- 
. sive in the proportion of 70 per cent. in nitric acid; or even of 
that of 40 per cent. in sulphuric acid. How is it, then, that it 
is found in the ratio of 85 per cent. in water, and that this com- 
pound, compared with the others, should be perfectly mild and 
innocent ?”? The answer given to this question is, “* because its 
oxygen is so forcibly retuined by the hydrogen +.” 
Now, as the theory of the comipound nature of water does not 
rest upon common experience, nor upon any known truth, but 
upon a bare assertion without any proof whatever ; therefore, it 
seems to be nothing more than 4 fanciful conjecture. 
Lynn, Jan. 7, 1814. Ez. WALKER. 
To Messrs. Nicholson and Tilloch. 
[Vo be continued. | 
x 
VII. Observations on a Fiery Meteor. By T. Forsrer, Esq. 
I communicate to you the following account of a fiery meteor, 
which was seen by a friend of mine on Monday evening, the 
8th of November last, about eight o’clock. He was walking 
between Woodford and Hackney; the weather being fine, 
and the moon shining bright; and was suddenly surrounded by 
a light blueish flame: it lasted two or three seconds, so as 
to give him time to turn himself round and view it on‘all sides. 
He felt at the time a warmth like that of a very hot damp day. 
When it subsided, he perceived the moon much dimmer, on ac- 
count of the bright light which had just affected the organs of 
vision. These are all the particulars I have of it, and I com- ~ 
municate them just as they were given me. In hopes that some 
other persons more distant, who may have seen this curious phe- 
nomenon, which is certainly of the 2gms fatuus kind, may give 
further particulars, I send. this for insertion in your Magazine. 
Yours, &e. 
Clapton, Jan. 10, 1814. - THOMAS FoRSTER. 
P.S. There were many meteors called falling stars on the 
evening of the aforesaid Sth of November. 
To Messrs. Nicholson and Tilloch. 
* Davy’s Elements, p. 322, + Parkes’s Chem. Cat. p. 252. 
