ee) 
On the Oxi-hydrogen Blow-pipe. ilg 
lay, fire and common brick, and compound rocks, &c. were 
fused with equal ease. 
During the action of the compound flame upon the alkaline 
earths, provided they were supported by charcoal, distinct glo- 
bules often rolled and darted evt from the ignited mass, and 
burnt, sometimes vividly, and with peculiarly coloured flame. 
From the nature of the experiments, it will not be easy to prove 
that these globules were the basis of the earths, and yet there 1s 
the strongest reason to believe it; circumstances could scarcely 
be devised more favourable to the simultaneous fusion and de- 
composition of these bodies; charcoal highly ignited for a sup- 
port, and an atmosphere of bydrogea also in vivid and intense 
ignition ; that the oxygen should be, under these circumstances, 
detached, is not surprising; but the high degree of heat and the 
presence of oxygen necessarily burn up the metalloids almost as 
soon as produced. If means could be devised to obviate this 
difficulty, the blow-pipe of Mr. Hare might become an important 
instrument of analytical research. , 
We can scarcely fail to attribute some of the appearances, du- 
ring the fusion of the leucite, to the decomposition of the pot- 
ash it contains. 
This impression was much strengthened by exposing potash 
and soda to the compound flame, with a support of charcoal ; 
they were evidently decomposed: numerous distinct globules 
rolled out from them, and burnt with the peculiar vivid white 
light and flash which these metalloids eshibit when produced and 
ignited in the Galvanic circuit. It is hoped that these hints may 
induce a further investigation of this subject. 
The experiments which have now been related in connexion 
with the original ones of Mr. Hare, sufficiently show that science 
is not a little indebted to that gentleman for his ingenious and 
beautiful invention.—It was certainly a happy thought, and the 
result of very philosophical views of combustion, to suppose that 
a highly combustible gaseous body, by intimate mixture with 
oxygen gas, must, when kindled, produce intense heat: and it is 
no doubt to this capability of perfectly intimate mixture between 
“these two bodies, that the effects of the compound blow-pipe 
are in a great measure to be ascribed. 
This communication has already been extended further than 
was contemplated; but on concluding it, it may be allowable to 
remark, that there is now in all probability no body, except some 
of the combustible ones,'which is exempt from the law of fusion 
by heat. If the primitive earths, and such minerals as several 
of those which have been mentioned above, are fusible, no doubt 
can be entertained that all other mixtures and combinations of 
éarths are fusible also: for such mixtures and combinations are 
Vol. 50. No, 232. August 1817. H known 
