306 Mature ANtTDECOMPOsiTiON of the fixed alkalis. 



In my first experiments on the distillation of the basis of 

 potash, I had great difficulty in accounting for th^ese pheno- 

 mena; but the knowledi^e of the substance it forms in its 

 firfet degree of union with oxigen afForded a satisfactory ex- 

 planation. 



V. On the Properties and IKature of the Basis of Soda. 



Basis of soda. "^^^^ basis of soda, as I have already mentioned, is a solid 

 at Common temperatures. It is white, opaque, and wiien 

 examined under a film of naphtha, has the lustre and 

 general appearance of silver. It is exceedingly malleable, 

 and is much softer than any of the common metallic sub- 

 stances. When pressed upon by a platina blade, with a 

 small force, it spreads into thin leaves, and a globule of the 

 .; iVt^j OJ" tV^^ of an inch in diameter is easily spread over a 



surface of a quarter of an inch*, and this property does not 

 diminish when it is cooled to 32" Fahi-enheit. 

 Conducts heat It conducts electricity and heat in a similar manner to 

 ail t ec rici y. ^y^^ basis of potash ; and small globules of it inflame by the 



voltaic electrical spark, and burn with bright explosions. 

 Specific gravity Its specific gravity is less than that of water. It swims 

 in oil of sassiifras of 1*096, water being 1, and sinks in 

 ■ naphtha of specific gravity '861. This circumstance en- 

 abled me to ascertain the point with precision. 1 mixed to- 

 gether oil of sassafras and naphtha, which combine very per- 

 fectly, observing the proportions till I had composed a fluid. 

 in which it remained at rest above or below ; and this fluid 

 consisted of nearly twelve parts naphtha, and five of oil of 

 sassafras, which gives a specific gravity to that of v^ater 

 nearly as nine to ten, or more accurately as '9348 to 1. 

 Perfectly fluid. The basis of soda has a much higher point of fusion than 

 at ISO"". „^j^^> basis of potash ; its parts begin to lose their cohesion at 



lexofthe glass ledge 5 but ii is niore than probable, that the <;ilex of the glass likewise 

 altered. suffers some change, and probably decomposiiion. This subject I hope 



to be able 10 resume on another occasion. 



WeMs at com-" * Globules may be easily made to adliere and form one mass by strong 

 men tempeia- pressure : so that the- property of welding, which belongs to iron andpla- 

 ♦lis-es. tina at a white heat onl), ii possessed by ihis substance at common tem- 



peratures. 

 - . about 



