102 Experiments on tae Combinations of 
the experiments from which these conclusions are drawn, a 
tray of platiua for receiving the potassium; the metal was 
heated in an exhausted vessel, to decompose any water ab- 
sorbed by the crust of potash, which forms upon the po- 
tassium during its exposure to the atmosphere, and the gas 
was freed from vapour by muriate of lime... Large masses 
of potassium cannot be made to inflame, without heat in 
oxymuriatic gas. In all experiments in which I fused the 
potassium upon glass, the retorts broke in. pieces in conse- 
quence of the violence of the combustion, and even in twe 
instances when I used the tray of platina., If oxymuriatic 
gas be used, not freed from vapour, or if the potassium has 
been previously exposed to the air, a Jittle moisture always 
separates during the process of combustion... When pure 
potassium and pure oxymuriatic gas are. used, the result, 
as I have stated, is a mere binary compound, the, same as 
muriate of pots) that bas undergone, ignition. ., ..., 
soda in a state’ of exireme dryness, jand, yery difficult, of 
La OT, S008 JAIEU QO Tit et a 
fusion. “Jn the experiments Jrom which, these. conclusions 
| IBM I OS Dheewi ty Yas wkigtve oc! F Shatina:, and 
are drawn, as I’ mentioned, ds ned. trays of platina; 
ated in the operation, [ 
Sid AY 
: 
except in, cases when this pre- 
sodium m common air, applying only a gentle heat, 1 found 
A Oe SLOT te Naa eo aats omely fusible 
that the first products, were substances extremely , 
and of a reddish: brown colour, whiclt copiously effervesced 
in water, and which became dry alkali, by being strongly 
heated upon platina in the air,—phenomena, which, atan 
early period of the inquiry, induced me to suppose that 
they were prot oxides of potassium and sodium. Finding, 
jn subsequent experiments, however, that they, ce 
F Wit 
