508 



KXrntt AW» Mc6^P69ttt6fi 6F t«E FiXfiD AtltALlS. 



ether. 



Qf acids. 



composition is more violent, and in this case a few scintilla* 

 tions are ^enerallj' observed at the surface of the fluid ; bat 

 this is owing to small particles of the basis, which are 

 thrown out of the water sufficiently heated, to burn in pass- 

 ing through the atmosphere. When, however, a globule is 

 brought into contact with a small particle of water, or with 

 moistened paper, the heat produced (there being no mediunn 

 to carry it off rapidiy) is usually sufficient for the accension 

 of the basis. 

 Of alcohol and The basis of soda acts upon alcohol and ether precisely 

 in a similar manner with the basis of potash. The water 

 that they contain is decomposed ; soda is rapidly formed, 

 and hidrogen disengaged. 



The basis of soda, when thrown upon the strong acids, 

 acts "upon them with great energy. When nitrous acid is 

 employed, a vivid inflammation is produced; with muriatic 

 and sulphuric acid, there is much heat generated, but no 

 light. 



When plunged, by proper means, beneath the surface of 

 the acids, it is rapidly oxigenated ; sotia is produced, and 

 the other educts are similar to those generated by the action 

 of the basis of potash. 



With respect to the fixed and volatile oils and naphtha in 

 their ditterent states, there is a perfect coincidence between 

 the effects of the two new substances, except in the difference 

 of the appearances of the saponaceous compounds formed: 

 those produced by the oxidation and combination of the ba- 

 sis of soda being of a darker colour, and apparently less 

 soluble. 



The basis of soda, in its degrees of oxidation, has pre- 

 cisely similar habits with the basis of potash. 



When it is fused with dry soda, in certain quantities, 

 there is a division of oxigen between the alkali and the base; 

 and a deep brown flluid is produced, which becomes a dark 

 gray solid on cooling, and which attracts oxigen from the 

 air, or which decomposes water, and becomes soda. 



The same body is often formed in the analytical pro* 

 cesses of decomposition, and it is generated when the basis 

 of soda is fused in tubes of the purest plate glass. 

 Of inflamma- There is scarcely any difference in the visible phenomena 



bles, ' of 



Of oils and 

 naphtha. 



Of oxjgeii. 



