ON rnt NATURE OF OXIMURIATIC ACID. 141, 



regard to carbonic scid, and its transition to the elastic state; 

 and this cannob be explained by any hypothesis similar to 

 (hat, by which the analogous influence of water with regard 

 to muriatic acid is attempted to be explained. It renders 

 more probable, therefore, the explanation in conformity to 

 the common theory with regard to this acid inferred from 

 similar facts. It taay be added, that the affinity of muriatic- 

 acid to water being evidently stronger than that of carboniG' 

 acid, the former in its gaseous sVdie may be presumed to 

 retain a larger quantity combiued with it than the latter. 



The other mode of proof, whence this question may be proof of the «i« 

 determined, is that relating to the existence of oxigen in »^tencG of oxl. 

 oximuriatic acid. The facts from which this has usually riatic acid not 

 been inferred, either by the apparent formation or decorapo- ^^^''i' ^^^^^* 

 sition of the acid, it has already been remarked are am- 

 biguous, as they admit equally of explanation on Mr. 

 Davy*6 hypothesis* The obje6l is to obtain proof not liable 

 to this ambiguity, and one train of investigation occurred to 

 me, whence I imagined such proof might be obtained. 



The cause which I have assigned for charcoal not being DecompoiU 



oxigenated by oximuriatic acid is, that the portion of water jionoftheacid 



necessary to the constitution of muriatic acid ga« is not af- wjth ihe addl* 



forded. If water, therefore, were supplied, theoxi^enation '^°'*°^^^^^' 



1 11 nil • 1 .• , gWesimper- 



ought to take plac*^. 1 here is some reason to believe that feet orambi- 



this is the result, but from the state of aggregation of the guoua results. 

 charcoal, it is not easy to conduct the experiment, so as 

 that it shall not be either imperfect or ambiguous. 



But there is another form under which it may be made. Argument 

 and with regard to which indeed the facts are already partly ^J?c™^^^ 

 ascertained. If oximuriatic acid gas, and any of the varieties carburettea hU 

 of what are named carburetted hidrogen gasses be mingled J°*^"^-°[J^* 

 together, it is known from the experiments of Cruickshank, and carbonic 

 that a mutual action is exerted, either immediately if the*'^^*^** 

 electric spark is taken in the mixture, or more slowly if 

 they are allowed to remain in their mixed state; and in 

 either case, if the due proportions are observed, they are, 

 entirely converted into muriatic and carbonic acids. Ifhe 

 explanation of this according to the common theory is ob- 

 vious; the carbon and hidrogen of the inflammable gas re- 

 ceiving oxigen from tJie oximuriatic acid, carbouic a^id a^d^^ 



watir" 



