Chem. Obs. [f. VOL(ATILE) a. + ALKALI.] Volatile alkali; ammonia.
[c. 1789. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), IV. 438/2. Vol. alkali.]
1796. Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), II. 7. As pure Volalkali consists of mephitic … air and inflammable air concreted together. Ibid. (1799), Geol. Ess., v. 142. Margraff … found it to yield volalkali from some remains of the putrid wood that were still contained in it.
