Pour into a saucer a little sulphuric acid, and place upon it a chip of sodium, which will float and remain uninflamed; but the addition of a drop of water will set it on fire.
WAVES OF FIRE ON WATER.
On a lump of refined sugar let fall a few drops of phosphuretted ether, and put the sugar into a glass of warm water, which will instantly appear on fire at the surface, and in waves, if gently blown with the breath. This experiment should be exhibited in the dark.
EXPLOSION IN WATER.
Throw very small pieces of phosphuret of potassium into a basin of water, and they will produce separate explosions. The same substance will also burn with great brilliancy, when exposed to air.
WATER FROM THE FLAME OF A CANDLE.
Hold a cold and dry bell-glass over a lighted candle, and watery vapour will be directly condensed on the cold surface; then close the mouth of the glass with a card or plate, and turn the mouth uppermost; remove the card, quickly pour in a little lime-water, a perfectly clear liquid, and it will instantly become turbid and milky, upon meeting with the contents of the glass, just as lime-water changes when dropped into a glass of water.
FORMATION OF WATER BY FIRE.
Put into a tea-cup a little spirit of wine, set it on fire, and invert a large bell-glass over it. In a short time, a thick watery vapour will be seen upon the inside of the bell, which may be collected by a dry sponge.