PHILOSOPHICAL 
TRANSACTIONS. 
I. The Bakerian Lecture, on some new Phenomena of chemical 
Changes produced by Electricity particularly the Decomposition 
of the fixed Alkalies, and the Exhibition of the new substances 
which constitute their bases ; and on the general JV * ature of alka- 
line Bodies. By Humphry Davy, Esq. Sec. R. S. M. R. I. A . 
Read November 19, 1807. 
I. Introduction. 
In the Bakerian Lecture which I had the honour of present- 
ing to the Royal Society last year, I described a number of de- 
compositions and chemical changes produced in substances of 
known composition by electricity, and I ventured to conclude 
from the general principles on which the phenomena were 
capable of being explained, that the new methods of investi- 
gation promised to lead to a more intimate knowledge than 
had hitherto been obtained, concerning the true elements of 
bodies. 
MDCCCVIII. B 
9 . 
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