the Decomposition of the Earths, &c. 343 
In the best result that I obtained from the distillation of 
the amalgam of barytes, the residuum appeared as a white 
metal of the colour of silver. It was fixed at all common 
temperatures, but became fluid at a heat below redness, and 
did not rise in vapour when heated to redness, in a tube of 
plate glass, but acted violently upon the glass, producing a 
black mass, which seemed to contain barytes, and a fixed 
alkaline basis, in the first degree of oxygenation.* 
* From this fact, compared with other facts that have been stated, p. 336, it may 1 
be conjectured, that the basis of barytes has a higner affinity for oxygene than 
sodium; and hence, probably the bases of the earths will be more powerful instru- 
ments for detecting oxygene, than the bases of the alkalies. 
I have tried a number of experiments on the action of potassium on bodies 
supposed simple, and on the undecompounded acids. From the affinity of the 
metal for oxygene, and of the acid for the substance formed, I had entertained the 
greatest hopes of success. It would be inconsistent with the object of this paper to 
enter into a full detail of the methods of operation ; I hope to be able to state them 
fully to the Society at a future time, when they shall be elucidated by further 
researches ; I shall now merely mention the general results, to shew that I have not 
been tardy in employing the means which were in my power, towards effecting these 
important objects. 
When potassium was heated in muriatic acid gas, as dry as it could be obtained by 
common chemical means, there was a violent chemical action with ignition ; and 
when the potassium was in sufficient quantity, the muriatic acid gas wholly disap- 
peared, and from one-third to one-fourth of its volume of hydrogene was evolved, 
and muriate of potash was formed. 
On fluoric acid gas, which had been in contact with glass, the potassium produced 
a similar effect ; bur the quantity of hydrogene generated was only one-sixth or 
one- seventh of the volume of gas, and a white mass was formed, which principally 
consisted of fiuate of potash and silex, but which emitted fumes of fluoric acid 
when exposed to air. 
When boracic acid, prepared in the usual manner, that had been ignited, was 
heated in a gold tube with potassium, a very minute quantity of gas only was liber- 
ated, which was hydrogene, mixed with nitrogene, (the last probably from the com- 
mon air in the tube); borate of potash was formed, and a black substance, which 
became white by exposure to air. 
