THE ALKAHEST OR UNIVERSAL SOLVENT 105 



fluorine, even the platinum electrodes were corroded and 

 destroyed. Vessels of pure silver and of lead served toler- 

 ably well, but Davy suggested that the most scientific 

 method of constructing a containing vessel would be to use 

 a compound in which fluorine was already present to the 

 point of saturation. As there is a limit to the amount of 

 fluorine with which any base can combine, such a vessel 

 would be proof against its solvent action. I am not aware, 

 however, that the suggestion was ever carried into actual 

 practice with success. 



