on the Nature oj certain Bodies. 65 
containing about twenty cubical inches of hydrogene, by means 
of a spirit lamp, and pushed the heat nearly to redness. There 
was no perceptible change of volume in the gas after the 
process ; the sulphur that had sublimed was unaltered in its 
properties, and about three cubical inches of an elastic fluid 
absorbable by water were formed : the solution reddened lit- 
mus, and had all the properties of a solution of pure sulphu- 
retted hydrogene. Now if we suppose sulphuretted hydrogene 
to be constituted by sulphur dissolved in its unaltered state 
in hydrogene, and allow the existence of oxygene in this gas ; 
its existence must likewise be allowed in sulphur, for we have 
no right to assume that sulphur in sulphuretted hydrogene is 
combined with more oxygene than in its common form ; it is 
well known, that when electrical sparks are passed through 
sulphuretted hydrogene, a considerable portion of sulphur is 
separated without any alteration in the volume of the gas. 
This experiment I have made more than once, and I found 
that the sulphur obtained, in fusibility, combustibility, and other 
sensible properties did not perceptibly differ from common 
sublimed sulphur. 
According to these ideas, the intense ignition produced by 
the action of sulphur, on potassium and sodium, must not be 
ascribed merely to the affinity of the metals of the alkalies for 
its basis, but may be attributed likewise to the agency of the 
oxygene that it contains. 
The minute examination of the circumstances of the action 
of potassium and sulphur likewise confirms these opinions. 
When two grains of potassium and one of sulphur were 
heated gently in a green glass tube filled with hydrogene, 
and connected with a pneumatic apparatus, there was a most 
MDCCCIX. K 
