f.f85..J 
XXIV. An Attempt to determine the definite and simple Pro- 
portions, in which the constituent Parts of unorganic Sub- 
stances are united with each other. By Jacop BER2E- 
Lius, Professor of Medicine and Pharmacy, and M.R,A. 
Siockholm. 
(Continued from p, 44.) 
AVITI. Lime. 
Ix the description of my earlier experiments on the de- 
composition of the alkalis, 1 have shown that in such de- 
compositions the magnitude of the effect depends entirely 
upon that of the electricity discharged, and I have described 
the most effectual arrangement of the apparatus. Jn the 
decomposition of the alkaline earths the case is totally dif- 
ferent. The solutions in water can never be so much con- 
centrated as those of the alkalis; the quantity of the earth 
which comes at each instant within the compass of the 
operation of the battery is consequently very small in pro- 
portion to that of the water, and the greatest part of the 
power of the battery.is employed on the water. While 
therefore in the analysis of potass or soda we are obliged, 
in order to diminish the intensity of the discharge, to ex- 
tend the surface of the quicksilver, in that of the earths 
we are obliged to confine it, in order to increase the inten- 
sity of the operation, since only so much of it as is left 
after the decomposition of the water can operate on the 
earths. On this account a very slight addition of muriatic 
acid is favourable to their decomposition; while, if a larger 
quantity were added, the force of the battery would be con- 
sumed in the useless separation of the earth from the acid, 
leaving the intimate composition of the earth unaltered, 
Hence also we see why the proper, earths are wholly inca 
pable of being decomposed by the electric column. As 
soon as the first powerful action of the battery has sub- 
sided, it operates very little on the earths, and decomposes 
the water only. . . 
The decomposition of lime T effected in a little glass dish, 
into which I poured some quicksilver, and on it a thin li- 
quid paste of newly slaked lime. An iron wire formed a 
connection between the quicksilver and the negative pole 
of the column, and from its positive pole a wire of platina 
was introduced into the lime liquor. If this substance was 
too thick, the gas which was formed raised it up, so that 
it no longer touched the conductor. 
The amalgam of calcium does not differ in its appearance 
~ from pure quicksilver; but it has little Auidity, and is 7 , 
14 tile, 
