PROCESS FOR METALLIZING POTASH AND SODA. $J 



when it is emptied of the mercury by shaking it, the metal 

 of potash is immediately to be placed in it, and it will pre- 

 sently burn with great force. The combustion being 

 finished, and the capsule cooled, it is to be taken out, and 

 the matter separated with a small spatula. This done, ano- 

 ther portion of metal may be burned in this little capsule 

 in the same jar; provided a quantity of fluoric acid, equal 

 to what was absorbed in the first combustion, be passed up 

 into it. A third and a fourth combustion may be accom- 

 plished in the same way. There is nothing to prevent this, 

 since the jar may always be kept equally full of fluoric 

 acid gas, and the metal is easily procured at pleasure, by 

 following the process we have recommended. We will add, Care must be 

 however, that for the complete success of these experiments, [j^ 6 "^ ^ ee _ 

 great care must be taken, to remove the oil from the sur- from oil. 

 face of the metal with blotting paper ; otherwise it will be 

 decomposed, and give out a little hidrogen gas and carbon. 

 In fact this inconvenience cannot be entirely avoided; and 

 whatever precaution be taken, there is always a portion of 

 oil interposed between the particles of the metal : but the 

 quantity is so small, that it need not be regarded, and 

 cannot be the source of any errour in the results. To this 

 oil is owing the property of rendering lime-water turbid, 

 that the metals of potash and soda sometimes possess. 



V. 



Description of a Process, by means of which Potash and 

 Soda may be metallized without the Assistance of Iron ; 

 read before the French Institute the 18th of April, 1808 ; 

 by F. R. Curatjbau*. 



T. 



HE decomposition of the alkalis, which I never consi- Alkalis long 



dered as simple bodies, having long been an object of re- su PP 0S9d to *»• 



. , v » » j compounds, 



search with me, I was eager to repeat the experiment, in 



* Journal de Physique, April 1808, p. 520. 



which 



