of the fixed Alkalis* 7 



the electrified metallic surfaces neariy a quarter of an inch ; 

 but with a similar power it was impossible to produce the 

 effects of decomposition on pieces of soda of more than 15 

 or 20 grains in weight, and that only when the distance be- 

 tween the wires was about -|-th or T Vth of an inch. 



The substance produced from potash remained fluid at the 

 temperature of the atmosphere at the time of its production ; 

 that from soda, which was fluid in the degree of heat of the 

 alkali during its formation, became solid on cooling, and 

 appeared having the lustre of silver. 



When the power of 250 was used, with a very high 

 charge for the decomposition of soda, the globules often 

 burnt at the moment of their formation, and sometimes 

 violently exploded and separated into smaller globules, which 

 flew with great velocity through the air in a state of vivid 

 combustion, producing a beautiful effect of continued jets 

 of fire. 



III. Theory of the Decomposition of the fixed Alkalis ; their 

 Composition, and Production. 



As in all decompositions of compound substances which 

 I had previously examined, at the same time that combus- 

 tible bases were developed at the negative surface in the elec- 

 trical circuit, oxygen was produced, and evolved or carried 

 into combination at the positive surface, it was reasonable 

 to conclude that this substance was generated in a similar 

 manner by the electrical action upon the alkalis ; and a 

 number of experiments made above mercury^ with the ap- 

 paratus for excluding external air, proved that this was the 

 case. 



When solid potash, or soda in its conducting state, was 

 included in glass tubes furnished with electrified platina 

 wires, the new substances were generated at the negative 

 surfaces; the gas given out at the other surface proved by 

 the most delicate examination to be pure oxygen; and un- 

 less an excess of water was present, no gas was evolved from, 

 the negative surface. 



In the synthetical experiments, a perfect coincidence like* 

 wise will be found. 



A4. I men.- 



