15 
of the fixed Alkalies 
and so great the energy of its action upon water, that it dis- 
covers and decomposes the small quantities of water con- 
tained in alcohol and ether, even when they are carefully 
purified. 
In ether this decomposition is connected with an instructive 
result. Potash is insoluble in this fluid ; and when the basis 
of potash is thrown into it, oxygene is furnished to it, and 
hydrogene gas disengaged, and the alkali as it forms renders 
the ether white and turbid. 
In both these inflammable compounds the energy of its 
action is proportional to the quantity of water they contain, 
and hydrogene and potash are the constant result. 
The basis of potash when thrown into solutions of the mine- 
ral acids, inflames and burns on the surface. When it is 
plunged by proper means beneath the surface enveloped 
in potash, surrounded by naphtha, it acts upon the oxygene 
with the greatest intensity, and all its effects are such as may 
be explained from its strong affinity for this substance. In 
sulphuric acid a white saline substance with a yellow coating, 
which is probably sulphate of potash surrounded by sulphur, 
and a gas which has the smell of sulphureous acid, and which 
probably is a mixture of that substance with hydrogene gas, 
are formed. In nitrous acid, nitrous gas is disengaged, and 
nitrate of potash formed. 
The basis of potash readily combines with the simple inflam- 
mable solids, and with the metals; with phosphorus and 
sulphur, it forms compounds similar to the metallic phos- 
phurets and sulphurets. 
When it is brought in contact with a piece of phosphorus, 
and pressed upon, there is a considerable action: they become 
