406 Researches on the muriatic Acid 



been heated to redness, appears to be a hydrate of potash, 

 whilst the potash formed by the combustion of potassium 

 must be considered as a pure metallic oxide, which requires 

 about 19 per cent, of water to convert into a hydrat. 



Amongst all the known combustible bodies, charcoal is 

 the only one which does not combine directly with oxy- 

 muriatic acid gas ; and yet there is reason for believing that 

 this combination may be formed by the intermedium of 

 hydrogen. I am inclined to consider the oily substance 

 produced by the action of oxymuriatic acid gas, and olefiant 

 gas, as a ternary compound of these bodies; for they com- 

 bine nearly in equal volumes; and 1 find that, by the action 

 of potassium upon the oil so produced, muriate of potash 

 is formed, and gaseous matter, which I have not vet been 

 able to collect in sufficient quantity to decide upon its na- 

 ture, is formed. Artificial camphor, and muriatic ether, as 

 is probable from the ingenious experiments of M. Gehlen 

 and M. Thenard, must be combinations of a similar kind, 

 one probably with more hydrogen, aud the other with more 

 carbon. 



One of the greatest problems in oeconomical chemistry, 

 is the decomposition of the muriates of soda and potash. 

 The solution of this problem will, perhaps, be facilitated by 

 these new views. The affinity of potassium and sodium 

 for oxymuriatic acid is very strong ; but so likewise is their 

 attraction for oxygen, and the affinity of their oxides for 

 water. The affinities of oxymuriatic acid tras for hydrogen, 

 and of muriatic acid gas for water, are likewise of a power- 

 ful kind. Water, therefore, should be present in all cases, 

 when it is intended to attempt to produce alkali. Jt is not 

 difficult after these views to explain the decomposition of 

 common salt, by aluminous or siliceous substances, which, 

 as it has been long known, act only when they contain wa- 

 ter. In these cases the sodium may be conceived to com- 

 bine with the oxygen of the water and with the earth, to 

 form a vitreous compound ; and the oxymuriatic acid to 

 unite with the hydrogen of the water, forming muriatic acid 

 gas. 



It is also easy, according to these new ideas, to explain 

 the decomposition of salt by moistened litharge, the theory 

 of which has so much perplexed the most acute chemists. 

 It may be conceived to be an instance of compound affinity : 

 the oxymuriatic acid is attracted by the lead, and the sodium 

 combines with the oxygen of the litharge and with water to 

 form hydrat of soda, which gradually attracts carbonic acid 

 from the air. 



As 



