^6 Inquiry into the Laius of Affinity, 



Hence it follows, that the nomenclature can only Indicate in a vague manner, and with 

 great latitude, any metallic combinations in which the oxidation and the proportion of the 

 acid are not determined. » 



» 5. The acids do not follow the fame progreflion in their affinity relative to the degrees 

 of oxidation. There are fome in which the affinity diminifhes with the oxidation ; fuch are 

 the nitric and fulphuric acids; in others again it appears to increafc, fuch as the muriatic 

 acid. Hence we may perceive, independant of all the confiderations I have mentioned^ 

 how groundlefs the pretenfion was of claffing the affinities of metals for the different acids, 

 by confidering them as conftant forces. 



6. The refults of the complex affinities of metallic folutions, mixed with other falts, 

 may alfo vary from the proportion of thofe falts, conformably to what has been obierved 

 [on the influence of proportion in the complex affinities) ; fo that then the proportion of oxigen 

 in the metallic oxide, that of the oxide in the folution, and that of the faline combihation 

 brought into adtion with it, all contribute to the -new combinations which are eflablirtied. 



7. We might jherefore obferve in the chemical adlion of the metallic folutions, the laws 

 ■which we have eftabliOied in that of the other combinations, if oxidation did not caufe 3 

 change in the affinity of the metal, either for the acids, or for the other fubftances, and 

 multiply, as it were, in the metals the property of forming combinations ; whence the r6- 

 fults are often fo complicated, that though by accurate obfervation we may develope the 

 fa£ls and the circumftances which determine them, yet they cannot be forefeeii by theory, 

 from the mere confideration of the known properties, as may be done with refpe£l to other 

 fubftances, the adtionof which depends on a fmaller number of conditions. 



8. The ftate in which oxigen is found combined with the metals, has likewife an influ- 

 ence upon the properties of the metallic oxides, and of the precipitates compared with eacli 

 other. Bayen obferved, that feveral mercurial precipitates, as well as the red oxide, de- 

 tonate ftrongly, though in an unequal manner when expofed to heat, after having been 

 mixed with fulphur, and that fome d« not poflefs this property; but he has not given the 

 reafon of the pliaenomenon and the exceptions. It appears to me indubitable, that thi» 

 property of the oxide of mercury, and of the precipitates in which it predominates, is a 

 confequence of the oxigen pofleffing more caloric,' than it preferves in the combination 

 that it forms with the fulphur, or in the fulphuric acid.' The fame, thing dierefore hap- 

 pens as with the nitrate and oxigenated muriate of pot-a(h ; except that the efFe£l is lefs 

 confiderable ; but in the precipitates of the corrofive mercurial muriate, parr only of the 

 mercury can be confidered as not combined with the muriatic acid, namely, that part which 

 may be reducedinto metal by the aftion of the heat which produces detonatioir. Such of 

 the precipitates therefore as retain a fuffi-cient quantity of the hini4atic acid, to admit only 

 of a fmall reduftion of mercury by the aftion of heat, cannot produce detonation ; and' 

 fuch in fatl are the precipitates by ammonia, by the carbonate of ammonia, and by the 

 carbonate of pot-afh^ 



9. The 



