21 
some new Objects in Chemical Philosophy. 
sorbed, and 3.2 of hydrogene evolved. The fusible substance 
was not exposed to the atmosphere, but was covered with 
dry mercury, and immediately introduced into the tube; 
which, with its adaptors was exhausted, and filled with hy- 
drogene. They contained together X of a cubical inch. 
The heat was very slowly applied by means of a fire of char- 
coal, till the tube was ignited to whiteness. Nine cubical 
inches of gas were given off, and ^ of a cubical inch remained 
in the retort and adaptors. Of the 9 cubical inches, of a 
cubical inch was ammonia, 10 measures of the permanent 
gas, mixed with 7.5 of oxygene, and acted upon by the elec- 
trical spark, left a residuum of 7.5. The quantity of potassium 
formed, was such as to generate by its action upon water, 
three cubical inches, and of hydrogene gas. 
Now if this experiment be calculated upon, it will be found, 
that 7.5 — .2 = to 7.3 of ammonia, by its electrical decompo- 
sition, would afford about 13.1 of permanent gas, containing 
3.4 of nitrogene, and 9.7 of hydrogene. But the 3.2 cubical 
inches of hydrogene, evolved in the first part of the process, 
added to the 5.8 evolved in the second part of the process = 
9; and the nitrogene in the 8.8 cubical inches of gas, (or 
the 9— .2 of ammonia,) will be about 3, and if we estimate 
.34 of hydrogene, and .16 of nitrogene, in the .5, remaining 
in the retort; there will be very little difference in the results 
of the analysis of ammonia by electricity, and by the action 
of potassium ; and calculating upon the JL of hydrogene pre- 
existing in the tube and adaptors, the loss of hydrogene will 
be found proportionally rather greater than that of nitrogene. 
In another experiment in which 3 grains of potassium were 
employed in the same manner, 6.78 cubical inches of ammonia 
