1917] KRAYBILL—ALKALI SALTS 53 
not be due in part to the alkalinity of the salts in solution. Such . 
an explanation, however, would not account for the behavior of 
the sodium and lithium carbonates. 
Extremely small amounts of caesium, potassium, or rubidium 
carbonates greatly increase the fire-holding capacity of the tobacco. 
A 2 per cent solution of potassium carbonate applied by means 
of an atomizer to the leaf was sufficient to produce the effect. 
Upon examining the ash left after the combustion, the potassium 
was found as the carbonate, that is, in the same form in which it 
was present before the combustion. It is possible, therefore, that 
certain salts, such as the carbonate, phosphate, and sulphate of 
potassium, and the carbonates of rubidium and caesium, act in a 
catalytic manner to promote the combustion of the tobacco leaf. 
In the combustion of lump sugar other salts are also effective, 
but the carbonates of caesium, potassium, and rubidium are more 
effective. Here the effect of the salts in raising the temperature 
may be important. 
According to this al . raecdim chiinnkle. ceramann educa 
bonate, rubidium carbonate, tri-potassium phosphate, di-potassi 
phosphate, and potassium sulphate have a catalytic action favor- _ 
ing the combustion of the tobacco leaf. The salts of sodium _ 
and lithium, potassium chloride, mono-potassium phosphate, and — 
_ acid potassium sulphate do not have this catalytic action. The 
harmful effects of the chlorides seem a ane ele eameien 
Ta 5 ye ere pe ra) 1. 
eu eueacs - Vs SAA 
when various organic materials, srpepertial ay and: sugar 
- treated with the - are a to te ur | 
ee  Ner (zx) has studied the e 1 the oxidation of _ 
x a oS in a solution | at low ek 
xidation of 1 
nical acti retaning 
sconce - 
