o/* the fixed Alkalis* # 



of oxygen, and of the respective inflammable substances 

 which enter into union to form the fixed alkalis, will be 

 given. 



It appears then, that in these facts there is the same evi- 

 dence for the decomposition of potash and soda into oxygen 

 and two peculiar substances, as there is for the decomposi- 

 tion of sulphuric and phosphoric acids and the metallic ox- 

 ides into oxygen and their respective" combustible bases. 



Tn the analytical experiments, no substances capable of 

 decomposition are present but the alkalis and a minute por- 

 tion of moisture ; which seems in no other way essential to 

 the result, than in rendering them conductors at the sur- 

 face : for the new substances are not generated till the inte- 

 rior, which is dry, begins to be fused ; they explode when 

 in rising through the fused alkali thev come in contact with 

 the heated moistened surface ; they cannot be produced from 

 crystallized alkalis, which contain much watey: and the 

 effect produced by the electrization of ignited potash, which 

 contains no sensible quantity of water, confirms the opinion 

 of their formation independently of the presence of this sub- 

 stance. 



The combustible bases of the fixed alkalis seem to be re- 

 , pelled ao other combustible substances, by positively elec- 

 trified surfaces, and attracted by negatively electrified sur- 

 faces, and the oxygen follows the contrary order *; or, the 

 oxygen being naturally possessed of the negative energy, 

 and the bases of the positive, do not remain in combination 

 when either of them is brought into an electrical state op- 

 posite to its natural one. In the synthesis, on the contrarv, 

 the natural energies or attractions come in equilibrium with 

 each other; and when these are in a low state at common 

 temperatures, a slow combination is effected ; but when they 

 are exalted by heat, a rapid union is the result; and as in 

 other like cases with the production of fire. — A number of 

 circumstances relating to the agencies of the bases of the 

 alkalis will be immediately slated, and will be found to" 

 offer confirmations of these general conclusions. 



* See Bakerian Lecture 1806, page 28 of Phil. Trans, for 1807. 



IV. Qn 



