372 ON THE NATURE OP OXIMURIATIC ACID, 



upon the scale above laid down, here is a deficiency of no 

 less than 21 parts of oxigen for the complete oxidation of 

 this quantity of sodium. 



If we suppose, that upon the action of the sulphuric acid 

 the sodium first becomes saturated with oxigen, the difficulty 

 will not be diminished. For in this case there would be an 

 immense surplus of hidrogen, above what was necessary for 

 the formation of muriatic acid, 

 and in that of Thus likewise, in the solution of silver ro nitric acid, be- 

 by muriatic ^^^^ noticed, the oxide contains 92 parts of metal, and 8 of 

 «^« oxigen. Twenty parts of muriatic acid are required to sa- 



turate these 92 parts, which only gives 0'6 of a part of hi- 

 drogen to combine with the 8 parts of oxigen. But by the 

 foregoing proportions, 1*4 of hidrogen are required for tha 

 complete conversion of this quantity into water. 



The proportions above laid down I have taken from the 

 best authorities ; and 1 believe that the calculations founded 

 upon them are correct. But even supposing it possible to 

 adjust either of the above examples to the exact relative 

 quantities necessary to support Mr. Davy's hypothesis, yet, 

 instances of the like discrepancy are so numerous and so va- 

 rious in their particulars, that to attempt to reconcile them 

 is a hopeless task. 

 Aqjument tVom But there is another objection, which is more simple and 

 tson of muriatic'"^''® self-evident, than that above stated. In the case where 

 acid with metal- the oxides of metals give up their oxigen to combine with the 

 oxi es. hidrogen of muriatic acid to form water, as the quantity of 

 hidrogen in muriatic acid must be definite and limited, the 

 quantity of this acid required to saturate the diiferent oxides 

 ought to be in direct and exact proportion to the quantity 

 of -oxigen which they contain. But this is not the case. 

 The oxide of potassium contains 13 per cent of oxigen, and 

 combines with 36 per cent of muriatic acid. The oxide of 

 sodium contains 22 per cent oxigen, and ought, therefore, 

 in this proportion to unite with 60 per cent at least of acid. 

 But 41 per cent will be found to be the utmost limits of il^ 

 uuiou. 



It is useless to multiply examples. One such objection^ 

 if founded in fact, would be sufficient at once to overturn 

 the longest established, and, in other respects, the com- 



pletest 



