Mr. Davy's new analytical Researches , &c. 451 
its weight, in a case in which it was mixed with atmosphe- 
rical air, precisely corresponded with that of an equal quantity 
of hydrogene. 
Another query which I put is, has nitrogene a metallic basis 
which alloys with the metals employed in the experiment ? 
This query I cannot answer in so distinct a manner ; but 
such results as I have been able to obtain are negative. 
I have examined the potassium generated in the process. 
It has precisely the same properties as potassium produced in 
the common experiment of the gun-barrel ; and gives the 
same results by combusion in oxygene, and by the action of 
water. 
In cases in which I had distilled the olive-coloured fusible 
substance in an iron tray, the surface of the tray appeared 
much-eorroded, the metal was brittle, and appeared crystal- 
lized. I made a solution of it in muriatic acid ; but hydro- 
gene alone was evolved. 
I distilled a quantity of the fusible substance from g grains 
of potassium in an iron vessel, which communicated with a 
receiver containing about 100 grains of mercury, and by a nar- 
row glass tube the gas generated was made to pass through 
the mercury; the object of this process was to detect if any of 
the same substance, as that existing in the amalgam from am- 
monia, was formed ; but during the whole period of distilla- 
tion, the mercury remained unaltered in its appearance, and 
did not effervesce in the slightest degree when thrown into 
water. 
That the nitrogene which disappears in this experiment is 
absolutely converted into oxygene and hydrogene, and that its 
elements are capable of being furnished from water, is a 
