,70 ON THE DECOMPOSITION OF THE ALKALIS. 



a siiTOstance of a metallic appearance remained, which was 

 denominated the base of potash, &c., and possessed, among 

 properties of others, the following properties. If a globule were thrown 

 the subMance -j^^^ water, or upon ice, a bright flanje and great heat were 

 produced, hidrogen gas was evolved, and the alkali found 

 in solution; if upon moist turmeric paper, the same phe- 

 nomena appeared, with the acquirement of a rapid motion, 

 and its course marked with a red or brown stain, proving 

 the reproduction of the alkali. In all which instances it is 

 stated, that this metallic body has such an affinity for oxi- 

 geu, that it instantly decomposes water, absorbing its oxi- 

 gen (which regenerates alkali) and its hidrogen of course is 

 Alkali re^ene- set at liberty. But, if the experiments with metals be faith- 

 or absorbin't' "^ fu^'y reported, alkalis are regenerated from these supposed 

 oxigen. bases, either by losing or absorbing oxigen. 



Matter of elec- It seems reasonable to conclude, that the matter of elec- 

 tricity capable tricity is as capable of combining chemically with bodies, 

 tiosi. as the matter of heat or light is; and that Mr. Davy has 



found the means of uniting another of the simple combusti- 

 bles with the alkalis. 

 Sulphuric acid Perhaps to say concentrated sulphuric acid is a calorated 

 a compound of Qxi gat of sulphur may appear barbarous; yet it is impossi- 

 ble to form it without the union of caloric, or to dilute it 

 •without the loss thereof: therefore, as I cannot find a more 

 New bodies, expressive name for these new bodies, I will call them elec- 

 bined^^ ■^*h"* trated hidrats of potash, soda, &c. ; wherein the hidrogen 

 electricity, has so weak an affinity for the alkalis, that solution decom- 

 poses them ; for on coming into contact with water, they 

 are so rapidly decomposed, that the matter of electricity 

 becomes visible, the hidrogen takes the gaseous form, and 

 of course the alkali remains in solution. 

 In chemical The importance of accounting for the whole of the sim>- 



experiments pigg submitted to chemical experiment cannot be too often 

 jient par's ' enforced; and that experiments may be depended upon, it 

 should be ac- Jg absolutely neceysary. The ovetlooking of this seems to 

 me the only caube of Mr, I^avy's miftake : for, as the alka- 

 lis were moistened, and it is the known property of the 

 galvanic fluid to decompose water, and as one of its com- 

 ponent parts was evolved, it was absolutely necegsary to 

 inquire after the other; more especially, as the body pro- 

 duced 



