SS8 Experiments on the Fufion 



experiments, it will not be eafy to prove, that tliefe 

 globules were the bafis of the earths, and yet there is the 

 ftrongeft reafon to believe it; circumftances could fcarce- 

 ly be devifed, more favourable to the fimultaneous fu- 

 fion and decompoiition of thefe bodies 5 charcoal highly 

 ignited for a fupport and an atmofphere of hydrogen al- 

 fo in vivid and intenfe ignition ; that the oxygen fhould 

 be, under thefe circumftances, detached, is not furpri- 

 iing, but the high degree of heat, and the prefence of oxl- 

 igen necelfarily burn up the metalloids almoft as foon as 

 produced. If means could be devifed to obviate this 

 difficulty, the blow pipe of Mr. Hare might become an 

 important inftrument of analitical refearch. 



We can fcarcely fail to attribute fome of the appear- 

 ances, during the fulion of the Leucite, to the decom^ 

 polition of the potafh it contains. 



This impreffion was much ftrenghtened by expofing 

 potaih and Soda to the compound flame, with a fup- 

 port of charcoal ; they were evidently decompofed : 

 numerous diftinct globules rolled out from them, and 

 burnt with the peculiar vivid, white light, and flafh, 

 which these melalloids exhibit, when produced and ig- 

 nited in the galvanic circuit. It is hoped that thefe 

 hints may induce a farther investigation of this fubject. 



The experiments which have now been related in 

 connection with the original ones of Mr. Hare, fuffi- 

 ciently fhew that fcience is not a little indebted to that 

 gentleman for his ingenious and beautiful invention. — » 

 It was certainly a happy thought, and the refult of ve- 

 ry philofophical views of combuftion, to fuppofe that a 

 highly combuftible gafeous body, by intimate mixture 

 with oxygen gas, muft, when kindled, produce intenfe 

 heat : and it is, no doubt, to this capability of perfect- 

 ly intimate mixture, between these two bodies, that 

 the effects of the compound blow pipe, are, in a great 

 meafure, to be afcribed. 



This communication has already been extended far- 

 ther than was contemplated, but on concluding it, it 

 piay be allowable to remark, that there is now, in all 



