78 Mr. Davy's Lecture on some new analytical Researches 
it appeared as an olive coloured glass, having opaque, dull 
olive- brown specks diffused through it. 
It gave a very slight effervescence with water, and partially 
dissolved in hot water, a dark olive coloured powder sepa- 
rating from it. 
The results from the iron tube, which had been much more 
strongly heated, were dark olive in some parts, and almost 
black in others. They did not effervesce with warm water, 
but were rapidly acted upon by it, and the particles separated 
by washing, were of a shade of olive, so dark as to appear 
almost black on white paper. 
The solutions obtained, when passed through a filter, had 
a faint olive tint, and contained sub-borate of potash, and pot- 
ash. In cases, when instead of water, a weak solution of 
muriatic acid was used for separating the saline matter, from 
the inflammable matter, the fluid came through the filter 
colourless. 
In describing the properties of the new inflammable sub- 
stance separated by washing, I shall speak of that collected 
from operations conducted in tubes of brass, in the manner 
that has been just mentioned ; for it is in this way, that I have 
collected the largest quantities. 
It appears as a pulverulent mass of the darkest shades of 
olive. It is perfectly opaque. It is very friable, and its powder 
does not scratch glass. It is a non-conductor of electricity. 
When it has been dried only at 100 or 120°, it gives off 
moisture by increase of temperature, and if heated in the 
atmosphere, takes fire at a temperature below the boiling 
point of olive oil, and burns with a red light and scintillations 
like charcoal. 
