104 On the Decomposition and Composition 



of the basis of soda being of a darker colour, and apparently 

 less soluble. 



The basis of soda, in its degrees of oxidation, has pre- 

 cisely similar habits with the basis of" potash. 



When it is fused with dry soda, in certain quantities, 

 there is a division of oxygen between the alkali and the base ; 

 and a deep brown fluid is produced, which becomes a dark 

 gray solid on cooling, and which attracts oxygen from the 

 air, or.which decomposes water, and becomes soda. 



The same body is often formed in the analytical processes: 

 of decomposition, and it is generated when the basis of soda 

 is fused in tubes of the purest plate glass. 



There is scarcely any difference in the visible phenomena 

 oF the agencies of the basis of soda, and that of potash on' 

 sulphur, phosphorus, and the metals. 



It combines with sulphur in close vessels filled with the 

 vapour of naphtha with great vividness, with light, heat, 

 and often with explosion from the vaporization of a por- 

 tion of sulphur, and the disengagement of sulphuretted hy-^ 

 drogen gas. The sulphuretted basis of soda is of a deep gray 

 colour. 



The phosphuret has the appearance of lead, and forms 

 phosphate of soda by exposure to air, or by combustion. 



The basis of soda in the quantity of T V, renders mercury 

 a fixed solid of the colour of silver, and the combination is 

 attended with a considerable degree of heat. 



It makes an alloy with tin, without changing its colour, 

 and it acts upon lead and gold when heated., I have not 

 examined its habitudes with any other metals, but in its 

 state or alloy it is soon converted into soda by exposure to 

 air, or by the action of water, which it decomposes with the 

 evolution of hydrogen. 



The amalgam of mercury and the basis of soda seems to 

 form triple compounds with other metals. I have tried iron 

 and plalina, which I am inclined to believe remain in com- 

 bination with the mercury, when it is deprived of the new 

 substance by exposure to air. 



The amalgam of the basis of soda and mercury likewise 



combines 



