40 BARIUM, STRONTIUM, AND CALCIUM. 



liable to be thrown into a state of explosive vaporization, by vv^hich it is driven 

 out of the crucible, carrying with it any other metal with which it may be 

 united. 



On the first application of the fire, the caoutchouchine distilled into the 

 receiver. Next followed the naphtha from the body of the alembic. Lastly, 

 the mercury of the amalgam distilled; the last portions requiring a bright red 

 heat, in consequence of the affinity between the metal and the alkalifiable 

 radical. 



After the distillation was finished, the apparatus having been well refrige- 

 rated, the alembic was opened and the crucible removed. As soon as the lid 

 was taken off", some naphtha was poured between the rim of the capsule and 

 sides of the crucible, so as to reach the metal below. This was found adhering 

 to the bottom of the crucible. 



When the heat was insufficient to carry off" all the mercury, the metal was 

 found in a state somewhat resembling metallic arsenic in texture, though its 

 susceptibility of oxidation, and its affinity for carbon, caused it to be deficient 

 of metallic lustre, until the surface was removed by the file or burnisher. 



Properties of the Metals obtained hy the processes above mentioned. 



Either metal was rapidly oxydized in water, or in any liquid containing it; 

 and afterwards, with tests, gave the appropriate proofs of its presence. They 

 all sank in sulphuric acid; were all brittle and fixed; and, for fusion, required 

 at least a good red heat. After being kept in naphtha, their effervescence with 

 water is, on the fir-st immersion, much less active. Under such circumstances 

 they react, at first,, more vivaciously with hydric ether than with water, or 

 even chlorohydric acid; because in these liquids a resinous covering, derived 

 from the naphtha, is not soluble, while to the ether it yields readily. 



By means of solid carbonic acid, obtained by Mitchell's modification of Thi- 

 lorier's process, I froze an ounce measure of the amalgam of calcium, hoping to 

 effect a partial mechanical separation of the mercury by straining through 

 leather, as in the case of other amalgams. The result, however, did not justify 

 my hopes, as both metals were expelled through the pores of the leather simul- 

 taneously, the calcium forming, forthwith, a pulverulent oxide, intermingled 

 with, and discoloured by mercury in a state of extreme division. 



