THE 



AMERICAN 



JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c 



Art. I. 



for acert aining the best method of 



and preserving Potassium; by L. D. Gale, M. D. Assistant to 

 the Professor of Chemistry in the College of Physicians and Sur- 

 geons, City of New York, Sept, 1830. 



TO PROFESSOR SILUMAN. 



D 



gener 



I take the liberty of sending you an account of a 

 course of experiments made in the Laboratory of the College of Phy- 

 sicians, during the past spring and summer on the preparation of Po- 

 tassium. My chief object in these experiments was, 1st. to acertain 

 the best proportions of the materials to be used j 2d. the most eco- 

 nomical receptacle for condensing the metallic vapor; 3d. the best 

 means of preserving the metal so as to exhibit its high metallic lustre. 

 The apparatus generally described in the books on Chemistry, is 

 much too complicated and expensive to admit of 

 with the simplest apparatus, from the numerous sources of failure/no 

 tyro in the profession I am confident, can manufacture potassium, 

 without first serving an apprenticeship. Even the chemist who is 

 well experienced in the more common manipulations, will often suf- 

 fer the mortification of a complete failure, because he is not familiarly 

 and practically acquainted with all the circumstances requisite to ob- 

 tain success. Hence this metal though it may be afforded at a low- 

 er price than it now bears in the market, will probably never be sold 

 even at wholesale, for less than twelve or fifteen dollars the ounce. 

 I made eight experiments in which three retorts were burnt through, 

 six pounds of potassa consumed, and about four ounces of the me- 

 tal obtained. During the first operation, Professor Torrey* was pres- 



i *-.». 



1 take this opportunity thus publicly to acknowledge my obligation to Professor 

 loirey, for the many useful hints given me on thU occasion. 



Vol. XIX— No. 2, 27 



