£02 ON THE NATURE OF (^IMBRfiTlC ACID. 



■ '■ ' V' ? - :; V;. ?, :>\n ;to 

 gcq gns, and of 10 carbonic oxide, was inflamed by art' 

 elcclrie spark over recently boiled riierciiry^* ^I^bere W'dl'^' 

 diminution produced equal to 6 measures, ati'd some cato-^' 

 mel formed. After the addition of animoniacal gas, linA' 

 the subsequent uddition of water, there remained ratner 

 more than 13 measures of unabsorbable air, wliich bi|fnt 

 with the same coloured flame as carbonic oxide. We have 

 made this experiment several times, tnid always obtamed 

 similar results*, 

 I>)|ference of Jt appears therefore evident, that the formation of car- 

 fpuuted for. ^0"^^ ^^''^ in ^I''* Murray's experiment must eitlier have 

 been owing to his haying, used water, or to the gasses em- 

 ployed containing oxigen. Indeed he states, that there 

 was a residue of common air in one of the experiments, 

 which he considers of the npiost decisive nati|re^,. 3JijjQw.jit is 

 well known, that carbonic acid gas. is formed, when car- 

 bonic oxide and atmospheric air 'are detonated together* 

 We are not at a loss therefore to account for the difference 

 of the results of Mr, Murray's experiments, and of those 

 which we obtained. 



|n feyour of «j^|^g former were in opposition to Mr. Davy's theory, and 

 Wr, Davy's , n , ' • i , 



ih^oxy, ^^ repetition they are not lound ta oppose it; and thus, 



instead of invalidating Mr, Davy's coricliis|i.on^s, they have 



quite a contrary tendency ; they prove, that his theory will 



bear close examination, and that the facts, which at first 



* The carbonic oxide used was procured from native carbonate of 

 t>arytes and iron filings, and the oxiniariatic gas from hyperoximuriate of 

 polash by strong muriatic acid; the first portions only were preserved, 

 which appear to he nearly pure oxinmriatic gas. 

 ^*w. cViscovef- Since this paper was written, Mr. Davy has discovered that there ax- 

 ed compound ists a very curious gaseous compound of oximuriatic gas and oxi.gcn, 

 ©1 oximunatic ^hich may be formi-d from hyperoximuriate of potash by diluted mu- 

 J ^ ridtic acid, assisted by a low heat : Pos<ibly Mr. Murray's gas may have 



contained this substance, which we have found will convert caibonic 

 pxi'Je into carbonic acid. When /Jr^re oximuriatic gas isused, the resulfis 

 are as above stated. 



From the particulars relating to this compoimd of oximuriatic gas anjd 

 oxigen, described by Mr. Davy 'm his paper on the subject jn^t rea4,tp 

 the Royal Society, taere are such, addiiiojial proofs of oximuriatic g?^s 

 being an undecompounded body, as must, I conceive, cairy conviction to 

 :hOftP"«^h^$J;^U.adhei;^^p iheold hypotkesis. 



appesir 



h 



■^Sf 



