366 Mr. Davy’s Electrochemical Researches on 
Something has been separated from them which adds to 
their weight ; and whether it be considered as oxygene, or as 
not be furnished by the decomposition of the volatile alkali itself. Potassium in its first 
degree of oxygenation, may have an affinity for nitrogene, or potassium may expel a 
portion of hydrogene at the moment of its combination with ammonium; and as the 
whole of the ammonia cannot be regenerated without the presence of water; hydro- 
gene and a little oxygene may be furnished to the remaining elements of the ammonia, 
from the water, and oxygene to the potassium. 
Even before the conclusion was formed, that a metallic substance is decomposed in 
this experiment, it should have been proved that tire nitrogene had not been altered 
That mere potash, combined with hydrogene, cannot form potassium, is I think 
shewn by an experiment which I tried, in consequence of the important fact lately 
ascertained by M.M. Gay Lussac, and Theuard, of the deoxydation of potash by- 
iron. 
An ounce of potash was kept in ignition for some time in an iron tube, ground 
into a gun barrel in which one ounce and a half of iron turnings were ignited to white- 
ness ; a communication was opened, by withdrawing a wire which closed the tube 
.containing the potash, between that alkali and the metal. 
As the potash came in contact with the iron, gaseous matter was developed, which 
was received in a proper apparatus, and though some of it was lost by passing through 
the potash into the atmosphere, yet nearly half a cubic foot was preserved, which 
proved to he hydrogene. In the tube were found two products, one in the quantity 
of a few grains, containing potassium, combined with a small quantity of iron, and 
which had sublimed in the operation, and the other a fixed white metallic substance 
which consisted of an alloy of iron and potassium. 
The first of these substances burnt when thrown upon water; and in its other 
characters resembled pure potassium, except that its specific gravity was greater, its 
colour less brilliant, and when it tarnished in the atmosphere, it became of a much 
.deeper colour than pure potassium. 
Now potash that has been ignited, is the purest form known of this alkali; but 
on M.M. Gay Lussac’s and Th e n ard’s theory, this potash must contain water, 
not only sufficient to furnish hydrogene to metallize the alkali, but likewise the quan- 
tity disengaged : dry potash then, as it is procured in our experiments, must on this 
theory be a compound, containing a considerable quantity of matter which can 
furnish hydrogene ; and what would be its form or properties if deprived of this 
matter we are wholly unable to judge, which brings this question to the general 
question discussed in the text. 
