ides. pothesis of the alkalis being simply disoxigenized; and this the alkalis to theory besides agreeing neither with the properties of the be simple oxoxigen, nor with those of ammonia, the principles of which should be analogous to those of potash and soda; I could not join in opinion with those chemists, who conceive the metallization of potash and soda to be merely the result of the disoxigenation of these substances. On the contrary, without prejudging any thing, I would consider only the facts; and in particular endeavour, if possible, to increase the series of those already known. kalis announo, What rendered these researches still more interesting to Decomposime were the results of the experiments I had the honour to tion of the alcommunicate to the class in the year, 10 [1802 or 1803]; re- ed long ago. sults that merited the attention of chemists the more, as the consequences I deduced from them predicted in some sort the possibility of metallizing the alkalis, the decomposition of which I announced. tion. Thus it is obvious, that Mr. Davy's discovery of the me- Mr. Davy's discovery extallization of the alkalis by the galvanic pile could not fail cited the auto awaken in me the desire of being acquainted with these thor's atten new products; and that, full of this subject, I should be one of the first to repeat the experiments announced for metallizing the alkalis, experiments in which I should have had the priority, had their publication been deferred another week. successful than Be this as it may, I have the satisfaction likewise of hav- This process ing discovered a process, which is peculiar to myself, and more generally which succeeds in every laboratory; while I cannot say so that of the much of the experiment I have repeated, since, whatever other French pains I have taken, I have been able to obtain only a ferruginous alkaline alloy, chemists. It would be very desirable however, to learn where the If the metal difficulty lies, that every one may be enabled to repeat the be obtained experiment with equal success. What makes me particu- of iron, iron pure by means larly urgent for a knowledge of the means is, that, if it were contains carproved to me, that the metal of the alkalis could be obtained separate by the assistance of iron, I should deduce this consequence from it; that the carbon, which enters into the composition of the alkaline metals, is one of the elements of bon. Two experi ments demon strate the presence of carbon in the new metals. That of hidro of iron, which would tend to confirm the opinion I have given in my paper on the decomposition of the alkalis, But I stop here, not to anticipate the question whether the metal of the alkalis contain carbon; for since I had the honour to address a note to the class, in which I mentioned two experiments, that appeared to me well fitted to demonstrate the presence of carbon in the alkaline metals, doubts on this important point have arisen, I request the class therefore, to allow me to make two experiments in its presence, against which I think nothing can be urged. The first is the separation of the carbon contained in the metal of the alkalis without combustion: the second is the oxidation of the carbon, so as to convert it directly into car bonic acid. As to the hidrogen, it is not so easy to demonstrate its gen not so evi- presence; particularly for one like me, who must be ten times in the right, to prove one truth. dent. The alkalis not being oxides the principal object. Grounds of the author's pro - cess. Stix However, if I demonstrate, that the alkalis are not oxigenized bodies, I shall have attained my object; and the question, whether hidrogen enter into the composition of the alkaline metals will be but a secondary consideration, which propose to examine in another point of view. I I now proceed to the experiments, which may render us better acquainted with the nature and properties of the alkalis in the metallic form. Exp. 1. To prove the presence of carbon in the alkaline metals, it was necessary for me to have recourse to the action of a substance, with which the alkalis have more affinity, than they have with the principles that constitute them metals; and which at the same time should be incapable of furnishing any element, that would combine with those I sought to separate from the metallized alkalis. By these means I was sure of having the carbon separate, and thus furnishing a new proof, that the carbonic acid produced in burning the metal in lime-water arises from the oxigenation of the carbon. Silex, from its indestructibility, the state of purity in which it is obtainable, and particularly its affinity for the alkalis, appeared to me to unite all the properties, that I wished to find in the substance, which was to be employed in my experiment. In fact, having heated silex in a glass tube with a little of decomposɛ the alkaline metal, it combined with the alkali, and set free the carbon. The carbon thus separated no longer took fire in the air; it required the assistance of heat. the metals, sets charcoal free. forms carbonie Exp. 2. This experiment is that to which I alluded in Sodium encle sed in lead, & the note I had the honour to address to the Class. It conimmersed in sists in enclosing in a thin bit of lead a ball of the metal of limewa'er, is soda, and then immersing it in a vessel filled with lime-wa- decomposed, ter. The metal thus confined is obliged to oxigenize itself acid. at the expense of the oxigen of the water. Two affinities concur, to effect this decomposition: the first is that of the alkali for water, the second that of carbon for oxigen; an affinity so much the more energetic, as in this state the carbon exhibits to us a very remarkable instance of its great propensity to become oxided; a propensity, which I shall refrain from explaining at present, for the consequences I should deduce from it would no doubt appear premature, considering the present state of our chemical knowledge. I therefore defer till another opportunity the communication of my ideas on this great and important question. tassium for this If in this second experiment I recommend taking the me- Sodium pretal of soda, it is on account of its solidity, which allows it ferable to po to be handled; and because its destruction is more slow, an experiment. advantage, that allows us to observe the phenomenon of the decomposition of water for some time. If, on the contrary, the experiment were made with the metal of potash, the decomposition of the water would be instantaneous; which, on the one hand, would oppose the combination of carbonic acid with lime-water, and on the other would force the gasses resulting from the decomposition of the metal to break the obstacles opposed to it by the lead, in which they would be included. We see then, that the metal of potash is eminently com- Cause of their bustible, and that of soda is less so; a property explicable different proby the difference of affinity of these alkalis for water. perties. One remark that I have made, and that will form the sub- Detonation of ject of a very curious experiment, is, that, in collecting the potassium in metal water. Experiment. General conclusions. Jury masts ea metal of potash by means of iron rods, very loud detona The following is the method of repeating this experiment From the experiments and observations I have had the honour of communicating to the class, it follows: 1st, That the conversion of the alkalis into metals is not a disoxigenation of those substances; and that, on the contrary, it is a combination of the alkalis with new elements, 2dly, That the affinity of the alkaline metals for oxigen is merely a chemical illusion, occasioned by a substance, the existence of which was not suspected. 3dly, That carbon is one of the constituent principles of the alkaline metals, since it can be obtained separate from them at pleasure, or converted into carbonic acid by oxige nation. 4thly, That, if the specific gravity of the alkaline metals be less than that of water, it is because hidrogen probably accompanies the carbon in this combination. 5thly, That the disoxigenation of substances, attempted to be effected by means of the alkaline metals, will always yield equivocal results, until we have a knowledge of all the elements, that compose these singular substances. VII. Improved Method of Forming Jury Masts: by Captain SIR, HEREWITH you will receive the model of a plan for sily provided, fitting ships' jury masts, to be formed from the spare spars * Trans. of the Society of Arts, vol. XXVI, p. 167. The silver medal usually carrying as asts. asually carried on board King's ships, and in every mer- and capable of chantman that is properly found. By having jury masts so much sail as fitted, ships will be enabled to carry as much sail as on the the proper usual regular mast; the great use of which I need not dwell on, only observing, that it may be of great importance to fleets after a general action, or when in want of proper lower masts, either at home or abroad, and enable ships, after the loss of their mast, to prosecute their voyage, or service, without any deficiency of sail. I beg you will be pleased to lay it before the Society, and I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient humble servant, WM. BOLTON. REMARKS. structing the jury masts. In the model in the Society's possession the main mast is Method of conbroken about one third of its length above the deck, proper partners are secured on the deck, in which a hand mast and spare main top mast are fixed on each side of the broken main mast, and secured thereto by two spare caps, morticed on a square made in its centre. A strengthening cap, mova◄ ble on these additional masts, connects them, and the upper parts of these masts are secured firmly by trustle trees in the main top. The foot of a spare fore topmast passes through a cap made from strong plank, morticed into the heads of the two temporary masts above mentioned, goes through the main top, and rests in the movable strengthening cap, which connects those two masts, and enables the for topmast to be raised to any height which the main top will admit, and be then firmly secured by the upper cap, the main top, and the strengthening cap below it. The fore topmast being thus adjusted, the cross trees and topgallantmast are mounted upon it, which completes the whole business. Two caps are the only things necessary to be made expressly for the purpose, the other articles being usually ready on board the ship. h |
