ELECTRO-CHEMISTRY. 1 3 



to a red heat, the solution of the iodide in the bent 

 tube was decomposed, and the iodine of the solution 

 was first made apparent in the limb of the bent tube 

 into which the wire was introduced that projected 

 from the iodine contained in the tube deposited in the 

 tray. 



13. In all these experiments in which the iodide 

 of potassium was decomposed, the iodine of the 

 solution first became apparent in the limb of the tube 

 into which the wire from the tray was introduced 

 in connection with the tube that contained nitric 

 acid, or oxygen, or iodine ; which proves that those 

 bodies, when subjected to an intense heat, have their 

 positive electricity, with which they are united, dis- 

 engaged ; and that sodium and potassium, and the 

 alkali, caustic potash, have in like manner their nega- 

 tive electricity, with which they are united, dis- 

 engaged. 



It is obvious that changes had taken place in those 

 bodies when deprived of their respective electricities. 

 Thus sodium and potassium lost their metallic lustre, 

 and were reduced to a black powder, which was 

 inert when thrown upon water, as neither combus- 

 tion nor action of any kind took place. The nitric 

 acid was deprived of its liquidity, and appeared in 

 small crystals adhering to the platinum wire. The 



