2 Mr. Davy's Experiments on the 
some general views and conclusions concerning the chemical 
powers of different species of matter, and the proportions in 
which they enter into union. 
I have been almost constantly employed, since the last 
session of the Society, upon these researches, yet this time has 
not been sufficient to enable me to approach to any thing 
complete in the investigation. But on subjects, important 
both in their connexion with the higher departments of 
chemical philosophy, and with the oeconomical applications of 
chemistry; I trust that even these imperfect labours will not 
be wholly unacceptable. 
2. On the Combinations of Oxy muriatic Gas and Oxygene, with 
the Metals from the fixed Alkalies. 
The intensity of the attraction of potassium for oxymuriatic 
gas, is shewn by its spontaneous inflammation in that sub- 
stance, and by the vividness of the combustion. I satisfied 
myself, by various minute experiments, that no water is 
separated in this operation, and that the proportions of the 
compound are such that one grain of potassium absorbs about 
l.i cubical inch of oxymuriatic gas at the mean temperature 
and pressure, and that they form a neutral compound, which 
undergoes no change by fusion. I used, in the experiments 
from which these conclusions are drawn, a tray of platina for 
receiving the potassium ; the metal was heated in an exhausted 
vessel, to decompose any water absorbed by the crust of 
potash, which forms upon the potassium during its exposure 
to the atmosphere, and the gas was freed from vapour by 
muriate of lime. Large masses of potassium cannnot be made 
