NATURE AND DECOMPOSITION OF THE FIXED- ALKALIS. 331 



stances, tliere is no small reason to hope, that even these 



refractory bodies will yield their elements to the methods 



of analysis by electrical attraction and repulsion. 



In the electrical circuit Ave have a regular series of poAvers Po\>-crs of e!ec-' 



of decomposition, from an intensity of action, so feeble as ^"^'^'V ^^"^"^ '*' 

 ^ ' . . , regular series. 



scarcely to destroy the weakest afhnity existing between the 



parts of a saline neutral compound, to one sufficiently 



energetic to separate elements in the strongest degree of 



union in bodies undecomposable under other circumstances. 



When the powers are feeble, acids and alkalis, and acids Their action 



and metallic oxides, merely separate from each other; 



■when they are increased to a certain degree, the common 



metallic oxides and the compound acids arc decomposed ; 



and by means still more exulted, the alkalis yield their 



elements. And as far as our knowledge of the composition Oxigen at- 



of bodies extends, all substances attracted hj positive!-''"''? ^y. ''.'"'- 



electricity are oxigen, or such as contain oxigen in excess ; combustible 



and all that are attracted by negative electricity are pure "^^'^f.'' ''^ 



^ •' ' negative, 



combustibles, or such as consist chiefiy of combustible 

 matter. 



The idea of muriatic acid, fluoric acid, and boracic acid 

 containing oxigen, is highly strengthened by these facts. And 

 the general principle coniirms the conjecture just stated 

 concerning the nature of the earths. 



In the electrization of boracic acid moistened Avith Avafcr, Boracic acid. 

 I find, that a dark coloured com.bustible matter is evolved 

 at the negative surface; but the researches upon the alkalis 

 have prevented me from pursuing this fact, Avhich seems 

 hoAvever to indicate a decomposition. 



Muriatic acid and fluoric acid in their gaseous states arc Muriauc and 

 nonconductors: and as there is every reason to believe, ^""""^ ^^"^* 

 that their bases have a stronger attraction for oxigen than 

 water, there can be little hope of decomposing them in their 

 aqueous solutions, even by the highest powers. In the 

 electrization of some of their combinations there is hoAV- 

 ever a probability of success. 



An immense variety of objects of research is presented New metals af- 

 in the powers and aifmities of the new metals produced ^°'j^^^!f"'S® 



from the alkalis. research. 



In 



