the Decomposition of the Earths, <2#c. ' 213 



The whole quantity of the basis of ammonia combined in 

 sixty grains of quicksilver, as is evident from the statements 

 that have been made, does not exceed -^y^ part of a grain, 

 and to supply oxygen to this scarcely -r- Vo- part of a grain of 

 water would be required, which is a quantity hardly appre- 

 ciable, and which merely breathing upon the amalgam would 

 be almost sufficient to communicate. 



Hence, when an amalgam, which had been wiped by means 

 of bibulous paper, was introduced into naphtha, it decom- 

 posed almost as rapidly as in the air, producing ammonia and 

 hydrogen. 



In oils it evolved hydrogen, and generated ammoniacal 

 soap ; and when it was introduced into a glass tube, closed 

 by a cork, gas was rapidly formed, and the mercury remain- 

 ed free; and this gas, when examined, was found to consist 

 of from about two-thirds to three-fourths ammonia, and the 

 remainder hydrogen *. 



That more moisture sometimes existed attached ta the 

 amalgam, wh«n wiped as dry as possible by bibulous paper, 

 than was sufficient for the effect of decomposition, I soon 

 found by an experiment of distillation.. 



About a quarter of a cubic inch of an amalgam nearly 

 solid was wiped very dry, and introduced into a small tube: 

 ill this tube it was heated til] the gaseous matter had expelled 

 the quicksilver; the tube was, then closed, and suffered to 

 cool, when moisture, which proved to be a saturated solution 

 of ammonia, had precipitated upon it. 



I have mentioned that the amalgams obtained from am- 

 monia, by means of the metals of the fixed alkalis or alka- 

 hne earths, seemed to contain much more ammoniacal basis 

 in combination than those procured by electricity : and when 

 they are combined with the metals of the fixed alkalis or of 

 the earths in any considerable quantities, they are much more 

 permanent. 



Triple compounds of this kind, when carefully wiped, 

 scarcely produce any ammonia under naphtha, or oil, and 



* In the experiment of the action of the amalgam upon air, the oxygen is 

 probably absorbed by nascent hydrogen, and reproduces water, which is dis- 

 solved by the ammonia. 



O 3 may 



