of the fixed Alkalis. 1Q& 



its operation upon water offers most satisfactory evidence 

 of its nature. When thrown upon this fluid, it produces a 

 violent effervescence, with a loud hissing noise ; it combines 

 with the oxygen of the water to form soda, which is dis- 

 solved, and its hydrogen is disengaged. In this operation 

 there is no luminous appearance j and it seems probable that 

 even in the nascent state hydrogen is incapable of combining 

 with it*. 



When the basis of soda is thrown into hot water, the de- 

 composition is more violent,' and in this case a few scintil- 

 lations are generally observed at the surface of the fluid ; but 

 this is owing to small particles of the basis, which are 

 thrown out of the water sufficiently heated, to burn in pass- 

 ing through the atmosphere. When, however, a globule is 

 brought in contact with a small particle of water, or with 

 moistened paper, the heat produced (there being no medium 

 to carry it off rapidly) is usually sufficient for the accension 

 of the basis. 



The basis of soda acts upon alcohol and ether precisely in 

 a similar manner with the basis of potash. The water that 

 they contain is decomposed ; soda is rapidly formed, and 

 hydrogen disengaged. 



The basis of soda, when thrown upon the strong acids, 

 acts upon them with great energy. When nitrous acid is 

 employed, a vivid inflammation is produced; with muriatic 

 and sulphuric acid, there is much heat generated, but no 

 light. 



When plunged, by proper means, beneath the surface of 

 the acids, it is rapidly oxygenated ; soda is produced, and 

 the other eduets are similar to those generated by the action 

 of the basis of potash. 



With respect to the fixed and volatile oils and naphtha in 

 their different states, there is a perfect coincidence between 

 the effects of the two new substances, except in the dif- 

 ference of the appearances of the saponaceous compounds 

 formed : those produced by the oxidation and combination 



* The more volatile metals only seem capable of uniting with hydrogen; a 

 circumstance presenting an analogy. 



G4 of 



