on the Nature of certain Bodies . 
59 
3. Analytical Experiments on Sulphur. 
I have referred, on a former occasion,* to the experiments 
of Mr. Clayfield and of Mr. Berthollet, jun. which seemed 
to show that sulphur, in its common form, contained hydro- 
gene. In considering the analytical powers of the Voltaic 
apparatus, it occurred to me, that though sulphur, from its 
being a non-conductor, could not be expected to yield its ele- 
ments to the electrical attractions and repulsions of the oppo- 
site surfaces, yet that the intense heat, connected with the 
contact of these surfaces, might possibly effect some altera- 
tion in it, and tend to separate any elastic matter it might 
contain. 
On this idea some experiments were instituted in 1807. A 
curved glass tube, having a platina wire hermetically sealed 
in its upper extremity, was filled with sulphur. The sul- 
phur was melted over a spirit lamp ; and a proper connec- 
tion being made with the Voltaic apparatus of one hundred 
plates of six inches, in great activity, a contact was made in 
the sulphur by means of another platina wire. A most bril- 
liant spark, which appeared orange coloured through the sul- 
phur, was produced, and a minute portion of elastic fluid rose 
to the upper extremity of the tube. By a continuation of the 
soluble in the compound of hydrogene and potassium. By exposing mixtures of potash 
and soda, to ignited iron I have obtained some very curious alloys ; which, whether the 
potassium or the sodium was in excess, were fluid at common temperatures. The 
compound containing an excess of potassium was even lighter than potassium (pro- 
bably from its fluidity). All these alloys were in the highest degree inflammable. When 
a globule of the fluid alloy was touched by a globule of mercury, they combined with 
a heat that singed the paper upon which the experiment was made, and formed, when 
cool, a solid so hard, as not to be cut by a knife. 
* Bakerian Lecture, 1808, p. 16. 
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