of the fixed Alkalies. 1 7 
in the atmosphere, a great inflammation takes place, and sul- 
phiiret of potash is formed. The sulphuretted basis likewise 
gradually becomes oxygenated by exposure to the air, and is 
finally converted into sulphate. 
The new substance produces some extraordinary and beau- 
tiful results with mercury. When one part of it is added to 
8 or 10 parts of mercury in volume at 6o° Fahrenheit, they 
instantly unite and form a substance exactly like mercury in 
colour, but which seems to have less coherence, for small 
portions of it appear as flattened spheres. When a globule 
is made to touch a globule of mercury about twice as large, 
they combine with considerable heat ; the compound is fluid 
at the temperature of its formation ; but when cool it appears 
as a solid metal, similar in colour to silver. If the quantity of 
the basis of potash is still farther increased, so as to be about 
T r -th the weight of the mercury, the amalgam increases in 
hardness, and becomes brittle. The solid amalgam, in which 
the basis is in the , smallest proportion, seems to consist of 
about 1 part in weight of basis and 70 parts of mercury, and 
is very soft and malleable. 
When these compounds are exposed to air, they rapidly 
absorb oxygene ; potash which deliquesces is formed ; and in 
a few minutes the mercury is found pure and unaltered. 
When a globule of the amalgam is thrown into water, it 
11 
to one rendered very dry, were heated together in a retort, connected with a mercurial 
pneumatic apparatus. At the moment of combination a quantity of elastic fluid was 
liberated amounting to 9 or 10 times the volume of the materials employed, and which 
consisted of sulphuretted hydrogene mixed with sulphureous acid. The first men- 
tioned product, there is every reason to believe, must be referred to the sulphur, the 
last probably to the copper, which it is easy to conceive may have become slightly 
and superficially oxidated during the processes of filing and drying by heat. 
D 
MDCCCVIII. 
