34 ^ Mr. Davy’s Electrochemical Researches on 
the silex was strongly acid ; that in the opposite cone was 
strongly alkaline ; the two fluids were passed through bibu- 
lous paper, and mixed together, when a precipitate fell down, 
which proved to be silex. 
On the first view of the subject, it appeared probable that 
this silex had been formed by the union of the acid and the 
alkaline matter in the two cones, and that the experiment 
demonstrated a decomposition and recomposition of silex ; but 
before such a conclusion could be made, many points v r ere to 
be determined. 
It was possible that the acid might be nitric acid, produced 
as in other electrical experiments of a similar nature, and that 
this acid might have dissolved silex, which was precipitated by 
the alkaline matter at the other pole, which might be either 
potash used for dissolving the silex, which had adhered to it, 
notwithstanding the processes of lixiviation in acids, or am- 
monia produced in consequence of the presence of the atmos- 
phere ; or if potash was present, it was likewise possible that 
the silex might have been carried over in solution, with this 
alkali, from the positive to the negative surface. 
Minute experiments were instituted and completed in the 
same manner as those detailed in the Philosophical Transac- 
tions for 1807, p. 7. wdiich soon proved that there w'as no 
reason to suppose that the silex had been changed in these 
experiments. 
The acid proved to be nitric acid, which under the electrical 
action seemed to have dissolved the silex ; the alkali turned 
out to be principally fixed alkali ; and that it was merely 
an accidental ingredient, and not a constituent of the silex, 
appeared from this circumstance, that when the same portion 
