of the fixed Alkalies. 
21 
5. On the Properties and Nature of the Basis of Soda. 
The basis of soda, as I have already mentioned, is a solid 
at common temperatures. It is white, opaque, and when ex- 
amined under a film of naphtha, has the lustre and general 
appearance of silver. It is exceedingly malleable, and is much 
softer than any of the common metallic substances. When 
pressed upon by a platina blade, with a small force, it spreads 
into thin leaves, and a globule of the ~th or T r -th of an inch 
in diameter is easily spread over a surface of a quarter of an 
inch,* and this property does not diminish when it is cooled 
to 32 0 Fahrenheit. 
It conducts electricity and heat in a similar manner to the 
basis of potash ; and small globules of it inflame by the voltaic 
electrical spark, and burn with bright explosions. 
Its specific gravity is less than that of water. It swims in 
oil of sassafras of 1.096, water being 1, and sinks in naphtha 
of specific gravity .861. This circumstance enabled me to 
ascertain the point with precision. I mixed together oil of 
sassafras and naphtha, which combine very perfectly, observ- 
ing the proportions till I had composed a fluid, in which it 
remained at rest above or below ; and this fluid consisted of 
nearly twelve parts naphtha, and five of oil of sassafras, which 
gives a specific gravity to that of water, nearly as nine to 
ten, or more accurately as 9348 to 1. 
The basis of soda has a much higher point of fusion than 
the basis of potash ; its parts begin to lose their cohesion at 
* Globules may be easily made to adhere and form one mass by strong pressure : 
so that the property of welding, which belongs to iron and platina at a white heat 
only, is possessed by this substance at common temperatures. 
