DAVY, HUMPHRY - THE DISCOVERY OF HYDROGEN TELLURIDE.

The Bakerian Lecture for 1809. On some new Electrochemical Researches, on various Objects, particularly the metallic Bodies, from the Alkalies, and Earth, and on some Combinations of Hydrogene. Read November 16, 1809.

(London, W. Bulmer and Co., 1810). 4to. No wrappers as extracted from "Philosophical Transactions" 1810 - Part I. Pp. 16-74 and 2 engraved plates showing Davy's electrochemical apparatus for decomposing substances. The plates dampstained. Text fine and clean.

First appearence of this historical chemical paper, Davy' fifth Bakerian Lecture, in which he announced his discovery of hydrogen telluride.

"Mr. Davy having from the commencement of his electro-chemical researches, communicated the several steps of his progress to the Society (The Royal Society), takes the present opportunity of reporting the results of his further inquiries under four principal heads. First, on the nature of the metals of the fixed alkalis. Second, on the nature of Hydrogen and composition of ammonia. Thirdly, on the metals of the earth; and Fourthly he makes a comparison between the antiphlogistic doctrine, and a modified phlogistic hypothesis."(Abstract). He further gives arguments for considering potassium and sodium, which he discovered in 1808, as a element.

"Humphry Davy was one of the most brilliant chemists of the early nineteenth century. His early study of nitrous oxide brought him his first reputation, but his later and most importent investigations were devoted to electrochemistry. Following Galvani's experiments and the discovery of the voltaic pile, interest in galvanic electricity had become widespread. The first electrolysis by means of the pile was carried out in 1800 by Nicholson and Carisle, who obtained oxygen and hydrogen from water. Davy began to examine the chemical effects of electricity in 1800, and his numerous discoveries were presented in his Bakerian lectures." - Wheeler Gift: 2518.

Order-nr.: 42219