44 Mr. Davy's Lecture on the Decomposition , &c. 
In themselves they will undoubtedly prove powerful agents 
for analysis ; and having an affinity for oxygene stronger 
than any other known substances, they may possibly super- 
sede the application of electricity to some of the undecom- 
pounded bodies. 
The basis of potash I find oxidates in carbonic acid and 
decomposes it, and produces charcoal when heated in contact 
with carbonate of lime. It likewise oxidates in muriatic acid ; 
but I have had no opportunity of making the experiment with 
sufficient precision to ascertain the results. 
In sciences kindred to chemistry, the knowledge of the 
nature of the alkalies, and the analogies arising in consequence, 
will open many new views ; they may lead to the solution of 
many problems in geology, and shew that agents may have 
operated in the formation of rocks and earths which have not 
hitherto been suspected to exist. 
It would be easy to pursue the speculative part of this 
enquiry to a great extent, but I shall refrain from so occupy- 
ing the time of the Society, as the tenour of my object in this 
lecture has not been to state hypotheses, but to bring forward 
a new series of facts. 
