159 bV Tkl^ ?f ATrRE OF OXIMURTATIC ACID. 



tioti to Waiter m consequence of which they combine inti- 

 mately, this combined water powerfully modifying the 

 affinities the acid exerts. In the former system oxi muriatic 

 acid is supposed to form anextensiveseriesof compounds with 

 inflammable and metallic bases ; muriatic acid forms another 

 order of compounds with these bases in an oxidated state; 

 hnd the forrrier of these compounds are converted into the 

 latter, when water is communicated to them, by the water 

 being decomposed, its Oxigen being transferred to the base, 

 and its hidrogen to the oxirauriatic acid. In the latter 

 hypothesis the facts connected with these combinations are 

 fexf)ltii'ned by supposing the one order of compounds to be 

 composed of muriatic acid free from water combined with 

 inflammables and metals in an oxidated state: the difficulty 

 bJT decomposition, the character by which they are dis- 

 tinguished from the common muriates must be abscribed to 

 the absence of the water essential to the existence of muria- 

 tic acid in an insulated form; and the changes they sufier 

 from the communication of water must be supposed to arise 

 ^rOta thechanges it produces in the chemical powers of the 

 ■fecid. In the latter hypothesis the only difficulty which 

 appears to me of importance is that arising from this pecu- 

 Only anomaly liar relation between muriatic acid and water. It undoubt- 

 theorv" '^^^7 presents an anomaly in chemical theory; for although 



there is no difficulty in supposing from the evident affinity 

 which exists between these bodies, that the acid in its elas- 

 tic form may hold a portion of water combined with it, it 

 is not obvious by what agency this water should be so essen- 

 tial to its existence in this^ form, or Should hove so important 

 an influence on its chemical powers. All the other pheno- 

 «reii a however appear to admit of explanation on this hypo- 

 thesis, and if the conclusions I have ventured to draw from 

 the preceding experiments be just, it is supported by more 

 nrhich presents direct evidence. The peculiarity with regard to water must 

 subea'^T'"^ therefore be elucidated by farther investigation, and it pre- 

 search. tents an interesting subject of research. 



I have the honour to be, 



Sir^ yours, &c. 



Questions 



