72 
Dr. de Crell on the Decomposition 
light milky colour throughout, without the least mixture of 
brown or black, or any other indication of coal.* Being some 
time exposed to the air, it became moist, and for a long time 
attracted much water, which I caused to run off. At last it re- 
mained pretty dry ; but the mass seemed to have diminished, 
by at least one-fourth part. 
Here I will stop, for the present, in the description of my 
experiments, which sufficiently tend to prove, in a general way, 
the decomposition of sedative salt, and to show, that one of its 
component parts is inflammable matter, which may be converted 
into coal. I obtained of true coal, (mixed with some earth, 
Exp. xxxii. and liv.) according to the above-described experi- 
ments, [Exp. xxn. xxvi. — xxx. ) thirty grains and three quarters, 
in the whole ; and by other experiments, often repeated, in ge- 
neral, one grain and a half, more or less. Every other sub- 
stance liable to be changed into coal, (as gum, tartar, sugar, &c.) 
suffers this change by a gentle heat, and deflagrates with nitre, 
in the degree of heat necessary to melt the former. But seda- 
tive salt can bear a red heat for many hours, without shewing 
any signs of becoming coal, of burning, or of deflagration. 
Astonishing phaenomenon ! What menstruum preserves it so 
securely against the assault of force, in a dissolved state, and yet 
suffers itself to be separated from it by more gentle means ? 
What power exists here, to protect the inflammable particles 
(which afterwards turn to coal) so effectually against a degree 
of heat which nothing else can resist? Of what nature is the 
* Perhaps here also the remark contained in the former note holds good : yet I am 
rather of opinion, that the vitriolic acid did not operate with sufficient strength to sepa- 
rate the component parts. 
