on the Nature of certain Bodies. 455 
# 
was eight cubical inches. 10.25 of it detonated with 3.5 of 
oxygene diminished to 8. 
The second portion equalled five cubical inches ; 9^ of this, 
with 5 of oxygene, left a residuum of 3^. 
Of the third portion, 2 cubical inches and •§• came over. 9 
of it, detonated with 5 of oxygene gas, left a residuum of 1.4. 
The iron tube and the adaptors contained, at the end of the 
experiment, as was proved by cooling and the admission of 
hydrogene 2.3 cubical inches of gas, which appeared of the 
same composition as the third portion. Nearly 7 grains of 
potassium were recovered. 
A comparison of these results, with those stated in the pre- 
ceding page, will fully prove, that there is a much smaller 
proportion of nitrogene to the hydrogene, in the case in which 
the olive-coloured substance is distilled with potassium, than 
in the other case, and there is likewise a larger quantity of 
potassium converted into potash. 
The loss of nitrogene, and the addition of oxygene to the 
potassium, are sufficiently distinct in both processes ; and the 
want of a correspondence between these results, and those of 
the experiment detailed in page 55, are not greater than might 
be expected, when all the circumstances of the operation are 
considered. In the instance, in which a double quantity of po- 
tassium was employed, more potash must have been formed 
from the oxygene of the common air in the tubes ; and 
the fusible substance, in passing through the atmosphere, 
absorbs in different cases different quantities of oxygene and 
of moisture ; during the intervals of the removal of the different 
portions of gas likewise, some globules are lost. 
In instances when the heat has been more rapidly raised, I 
3 N 2 
