‘The gas produced from alkaligen confined under mercury by the contact of water seemed to be hydrogen nearly pure. Soda decomposed with different phenomena.’
Davy made no more notes on that day.
On the 20th he worked on the gas obtained from sodagen and potagen, and writes, ‘Barytes gave at the oxygen side, when touched with the wire, an appearance like combustion—a bright rose-coloured light. Mem.: To try what effect the hydrogen side will have upon it.’
On the 21st he again worked on the gas, and says the gas from ether, when properly washed, seemed to be pure hydrogen.
He then says, ‘Examined the effect of heat this day and last night of the peculiar substance.’ Then he notes the results, and then he continues, ‘what can be the reason if the metallic globule is composed of A and H (alkaligen and hydrogen)—What is the reason that water and ether and alcohol saturated with potash still act on it so energetically?’
On the 24th he tried the substance with sulphur and phosphorus.
On the 25th, 26th, and 27th he worked on barytes, &c.
On the 27th barytes heated to whiteness did not become a conductor.
On October 30 he was still at work on the gas.